Betty Carter, born Lillie Mae Jones on May 16, 1929, in Flint, Michigan, is revered in the jazz world for her extraordinary vocal ability and innovative approach to the genre. She moved to New York City in the late 1940s and quickly started making a name for herself, performing with formidable jazz icons like Lionel Hampton, with whom she toured. By the 1950s, she began to pursue a solo career that would eventually establish her as one of the leading ladies in jazz.

Carter was known for her idiosyncratic rhythmic sensibility, unique phrasing, and a capacity for improvisation that was often compared to the abilities of a jazz instrumentalist. Her fearless exploration of unusual time signatures and her uncompromising artistic vision marked her as an avant-garde musician, even within the jazz community. Betty Carter's career spanned several decades throughout which she released numerous albums, including "The Audience with Betty Carter" and "Look What I Got!", earning her a revered place in the pantheon of jazz vocalists. Not simply a singer, Carter was also an astute businesswoman and mentor, founding her own record label, Bet-Car Records, and nurturing the talents of younger musicians. She passed away on September 26, 1998, but left behind a rich legacy that continues to be celebrated by the releases and reissues of her timeless music. Her album "The Music Never Stops," released posthumously in 2019, serves as a testament to her enduring influence and the immortality of her craft.

Genres

Vocal Jazz

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Latest Release

The Music You Need

Betty Carter

Album - 21 Tracks - Released December 16, 2022