Paul Carr, a saxophonist from Texas is well-known for his soulful post-bop style and hard-charging style. He was a local hero growing up. He played and studied with Don Wilkerson, Conrad Johnson’s educator, and Arnett Cobb, the saxophonist. Two years of Texas Southern University scholarship paid for him. He then completed his Howard University degree in music performance in Washington, DC. Carr has been performing in DC since then. He can be seen at Blues Alley and Twins Jazz as well as Takoma Station and One Step Down. Carr has been a regular performer at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Smithsonian Jazz Cafe. He also performed in the Corcoran Gallery of Art jazz series. Carr’s 1993 recording debut as a leader was a “PC10” and received critical praise from USA Today, Houston Post and USA Today. Also, magazines such as DownBeat and Cadence and JazzTimes were supportive of the performance. Carr has recorded more than 25 recordings as a sideman since “PC10”. Carr’s strong dedication to jazz is evident in his role of educator. Carr, who had been teaching for over 20 years, founded the Jazz Academy of Music, Inc, which is a 501-C-3 non-profit organization. It’s mission is to “advancing jazz through jazz education.” The summer camp teaches high school students how to improvise, small group, or big band playing. His students have been selected to participate in various jazz ensembles across the country, including the Maryland All-State Jazz Ensemble and the IAJE Clifford Brown Fellows. In the program’s short history, three of Carr’s students were accepted to Juilliard’s prestigious jazz program. Several others were admitted to The New England Conservatory and Eastman School of Music. Carr is back in the studio after a 13-year hiatus as a leader and composer. His latest CD, “Just Noodlin'”, was the result of his efforts. It features musicians such as Terrell Stafford (a world-renowned trumpeter) and Andrew Adair (a former Donald Harrison sideman). Carr has performed at the White House many times for Presidents Clinton and Bush, as well as King Hussein of Jordan. He has traveled extensively throughout South America, Central America and Europe. As a performer, Carr has performed alongside artists like Kent Jordan, Branford Marsalis and Kirk Whalum as well as Steve Wilson and Terrell Stafford as well as Wynton Marsalis and Wynton Marsalis. from http://www.paulcarrjazz.com
