Ron Carter: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit - stripped-down sets, an intimate setting - just a different space.
Nikki Birch | May 4, 2022
The velvety sapphire of what may be the most recognizable curtains in jazz are the backdrop for this special Tiny Desk (home) concert. Dapper and distinguished in matching ties, legendary bassist Ron Carter and the members of his trio sit comfortably on the prestigious stage of The Blue Note in Manhattan. This is jazz with a capital J, complete with cocktails and "Candlelight." The first tune in this set romances us, inviting deep sighs as the lushness of the trio's intricate interplay carries us away to moments spent gazing deeply into the eyes of a lover.
Ron Carter's career spans 60 years. It includes playing with the greatest of the greats in jazz, plus film scoring, teaching, writing and numerous awards, from Grammys to a Guinness World Record as the most-recorded bassist in history. After the first song of this set ends, the soft-spoken maestro in pinstripes gives a simple introduction; then, we are treated to a taste of his mastery with a solo bass performance entitled "Blues for Tiny Desk."
Russell Malone and Donald Vega again join Carter for the final song, "Eddie's Theme." The way they share sonic space is truly a testament to the sense of community that jazz fosters. We see how they exchange glances, looking and listening as they give space and support each other musically, celebrating free expression. We are honored and delighted to join in the celebration as we wish this jazz luminary a very happy 85th birthday today. May the 4th be with you.
SET LIST
"Candlelight"
"Blues for Tiny Desk"
"Eddie's Theme"
MUSICIANS
Ron Carter: bass
Donald Vega: piano
Russell Malone: guitar
CREDITS
A Partisan Pictures Production
Produced by: Simone Banos and Penny Kjellberg
Directed by: Peter Schnall
Video Editor: Andrew Baker
Camera: Andrew Baker and Peter Schnall
Associate Producer: Lena Schnall
Audio by: Alex Glasgow
Technical Manager: Sergio Larios
Special Thanks: Blue Note Jazz Club and Blue Note Entertainment Group
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Nikki Birch
Video Producer: Joshua Bryant
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Tiny Production Team: Bob Boilen, Bobby Carter, Kara Frame, Michael Zamora, Maia Stern, Ashley Pointer
VP, NPR Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#tinydesk #nprmusic #roncarter

[@bucketofbarnacles]

Ron is a national treasure. In fact he’s a treasure for all humanity.

[@RonCarterBassist]

Thank you. - Ron Carter

[@jerryrobbins5013]

@@RonCarterBassist indeed. he is the best ever

[@RonCarterBassist]

@@jerryrobbins5013 You're making me blush!

[@willslingwood]

Listening to Ron being played on the radio tonight here in Ireland. “Let me give you a hand”. Haven’t had goosebumps like this in quite some time. Have been too ready to fight, too ready to be sick, too ready and not really ready enough.

[@austinmonroe3894]

👊💪❤️💯

[@apolinarhidalgo3525]

Happy Birthday Maestro! Ron Carter (b. May 4, 1937)

[@TheXSpoon]

Omg. A Giant behind a Tiny Desk. It's an honor just hear it

[@punksterbass]

an actual living legend

[@sirstashalot7441]

He just goes to a totally different dimension when he's playing. You can see it on his face

[@williamgregory1848]

Ron Carter is without a doubt the greatest bass player jazz has ever known, with his unparalleled gift for creating bass lines.

[@duhusker4383]

Well that's debatable. I'm a huge fan of his, but Charles Mingus and Paul Chambers easily rank alongside him.

[@area201soprano]

The way they communicate through head nods 👌🏿

[@johnreynolds4658]

Happy Birthday Ron Carter!

[@umair111]

This man has appeared on more than 2000 recordings!

[@pablovarettoni]

The audio mastering is incredible. 3 legends. Music for the soul, the life, the dreams.

[@RonCarterBassist]

Thank you.

[@atruewonder]

A Legend!!!

[@lindatauhid9958]

Long live Mr. Carter and friends! The best!

[@ScottoGrotto]

Yay :) Thank You Mr Ron Carter, Mr Malone, Mr Vega and NPR for this little treasure!

[@timschimberg5027]

Priveleged to see/hear Golden Strike last night in Denver. Love Ron's socks in this one..... Great stuff., Thanks

[@eliadelvescovo9473]

Go Ron

[@BespokeSlipp]

Majestic playing from everyone here! Man I was super excited when I got this notification

[@RonCarterBassist]

We aim to please.

[@january2798]

Smooth and easy listening...

[@PentameronSV]

0:00 - *Candlelight* (3:20) 3:33 - *Blues for Tiny Desk* 5:12 - *Eddie's Theme* [9:01 - Tiny Desk team]

[@bigSLEEDS]

sweet, now where to start?

[@SPLENDIDZEN]

2022... Ron Carter... it's like listening to GOLD made music!!!...

[@hopeclayburnsax9369]

Yes!!!! The god father of the low still got it. Told an upright bluegrass bass player a couple of months ago he needed to check Mr. Carter out and so happy to see him on this show.

[@hillelromm608]

THE LEGEND!

[@joyceglasgow2356]

Happy Birthday, Ron Carter!

[@DrewbiousMaximus]

The master.

[@missolympiabinewski]

Wow. I saw Ron Carter play at the Village Vanguard in the early 90s. Didn't realize he was still at it and looks and sounds amazing!

[@lucasbfernandes]

The best!

[@deroncarter1751]

Ron Carter is on the bass, yes my man Ron Carter is on the bass.

[@bytheway1031]

Happy Birthday Ron Carter🎂🍾05-04-2022

[@SunscapesLandscape]

Saw him play at Birdland last Fall.He puts his whole body & soul into every note.He becomes the instrument.Magical.

[@TheMikeyStory]

This what an ICON and a game changer is in music ,simply a master class........🎼🎼🎸

[@wchelsea64]

Happy Birthday!

[@PesteNegro]

I mean, I know that Blue Note is the home of Jazz, but I would never guess that it was also Ron's home 😲🥺🥰

[@jamosensei]

Once NPR is able to start receiving guests again, I would LOVE to hear the results of these cats playing while Obi Wan Rogosin works his engineering magic...them licks would come right out and TOUCH you!!!

[@brianolive]

Just lived this in person! Ron, Donald, and Russell were in Oakland, Florida last night. An amazing performance, with a tribute to the late Pharoah Sanders.

[@federicofigueroa538]

Immediately going into my top 10 Tiny Desks... awesome, thanks.

[@cooldebt]

So much in this short concert reflects Maestro Carter’s long and successful career. From his unmistakable sound, to his clever wit and his humble leadership characterised by listening to others to best serve the music. Ron Carter is a blessing and inspiration to the generations of musicians who follow - jazz or otherwise. Happy 85th Birthday Maestro!

[@SteveG123]

Maestro Carter's hands are magnificent on his instrument.

[@pearlrumdrum]

GOAT

[@NesControl]

Ron Carter still looking and sounding like he is in his prime. A living legend!

[@roncarterofficial3168]

Thanks so much for your love and support from onset, it's a thing of joy that am blessed with the best fans, thank you so much, I do appreciate you and everyone out there

[@valkasolidor6727]

It's so good to see Ron Carter in such good form when I wasn't even aware the man still lived! I can recall nearly 50 years ago being coached by a guitarist friend on some Ron Carter patterns for bass.

[@abaneyone]

Excellent. Wish it was longer!

[@davidmarsalis1522]

Well I have no words. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@brandlessheadphones]

"Thanks a lot, Ron Carter on the bass Yes, my man Ron Carter is on the bass" Thank u for inspiring some of the best music ever made, Mr Carter.

[@lilkujo]

Ron Carter is the thesis of a Low End Theory 😉

[@BigBlackRod]

@@lilkujo That's where I learned of him...Verses From The Abstract.

[@Isack4]

Beautiful. The level of active listening and response even within the first two minutes is fantastic.

[@Kevtron9000]

What a legend!

[@MrEmanuelw]

As a musician I can only hope I'll one day be just as much 'in the moment' as Ron Carter seems to be while playing. beautiful!

[@jimmyknopflericussi6488]

Ron is a best-taste bass gentleman.

[@KingKongovOtec]

You can make whole hip-hop album from these 9 minutes. Long Live Ron Carter, thanks & much respect.

[@laurieroszell2000]

Thank you thank you thank you❤️

[@theignorantsavants]

Happy 85th to Ron Carter.

[@hviii7452]

“Ron Cater is in the house” - Q-Tip/ATCQ

[@maurizio7209]

10 minutes de bonheur … Ron Carter j’adore ❤️ merci …

[@avijitrai84]

Haant but

[@EDDH-A346]

Ron Carter made music history with his "tiny desk"! My favorite, epic-music, with Mr. Carter: *Alice Coltrane - Reflection on Creation and Space*

[@electricmaster23]

Timeless.

[@badiraha]

Lovely music...

[@beeshor1]

We better show these people some love while we're still lucky enough to have them with us. Much love to Ron, Russell and Donald!

[@mh4473]

Maestro!!

[@miguelbarraza7494]

Master 🙏💫

[@mariacaridadmartinez7576]

Relajación total!!! después de un día de trabajo agotador!!! Gracias por esta hermosa balada instrumental!!! Mi cuerpo mente y alma están en relajación total!!! 🤗❤️

[@zroeder]

Legend! He seems like a wonderful human being too.

[@fssanews6162]

"my man Ron Carter, is on the bass..."

[@carolime13]

as an upright bassist, thank you Mr Carter for recording this lovely set ♡ love from canada

[@DF-we4pt]

Amazing trio. Thank you for sharing with us

[@kittymarch4203]

amazing

[@chrismolinarimusic]

Always loved Ron and Russell's duo work...this piano player is similarly melodic, they are a great band

[@mesyestrongarmhnz9772]

Classic material !!! Thank you Tiny Desk. Mr. Ron Carter is a Legend !!!!!

[@ierahoki4490]

happy birthday!

[@JustK009]

Ron Carter is a way of life

[@MichaelGordonPenn]

This is absolutely what I want more of, fantastic!

[@c6rlos143]

Happy Birthday Mr. Carter! Lovely music, wish you many more notes!

[@dj_zioneer5853]

Ronny C is a pure baller! Proper custodian of the Jazz scene.

[@thewayhobibrokeitdowninhan6083]

This is amazing! Love seeing Ron here, and glad to now know of Donald and Russell!

[@lumiritubo5229]

Thank you so much!!!!!!!Thank you for the years of music and service to music which I believe is life. Sincerely from the depths of my heart I thank you and all the pioneers and will always honor, respedt and sing your music as I grow and with all I do!!

[@Mojojojoe]

Probably one of the few people to be able to claim Blue Note "his desk & home"

[@davidhogan5133]

Thank you guys. Just perfect.😊🌄

[@annp322]

Yes. More of this.

[@Kawaiicutiebaby]

Very beautiful 🤩I loved every minute of it🥰😍🎵🎶❤️👏🏾

[@dsthorp]

So beautiful!!!!!!

[@CaiusV.]

Thank you ❤

[@hironim]

Eddie's Theme、大好きなんだよね。偉大なロンに感謝を込めて。ありがとう。

[@joseantoniofernandezgonzal5449]

La elegancia musical en persona.

[@nuthinbutlove]

Treasure! Thank you Tiny Desk 💛

[@sidsmiff]

The very definition of legendary!

[@lucyhoward8044]

Happy Birthday and thanks for helping me climb out of my funk!

[@maxfarbermusic]

🙏 Thank you

[@nickbbnk]

Саме те, що потрібно під час повітряної тривоги ❤️

[@jickamangah]

I had the absolute pleasure of watching this man with Bill Charlap on keys on this very stage. I was in awe the entire time

[@bidelisebatasi4510]

hAPPY EARTH-DAY UNCLE RON ! THANK U AND MUCH LOVE

[@bonsik8084]

Thanks for npr being able to share this legendary artists' moments on the other side of world 🌎

[@farshimelt]

Wonderful to hear Daniel Vega.

[@GoodCheslav]

Fantastic!✌

[@distastefulvideos]

What a treat!

[@brunellodaponte-qh1tg]

Formidable!!!

[@reginaaquino2850]

En los setenta tuve un " long play" solamente con sus interpretaciones. Lo oi muchissimo sin nunca cansarme. ¡ fantástico!

[@rolo12543]

Impeccable playing by all!

[@bmurray4882]

great talent

[@jamesdeancav]

Love those tunes, what a nice trio, works brilliantly

[@pulsedsignals7082]

Excellent playing by each of them. Like it very much.

[@lawrencehodge6273]

Oh man with Russell Malone?! This is fantastic.

[@Kevin6059]

A true legend.

[@martinoblues]

Great concert. Thank you. 🥰