Chasin' the Gypsy (2000)

About this title: James Carter celebrated 2000 by putting out two vastly different albums at the same time, an amazing concession from a major label for a jazz artist who doesn't sell in Kenny G-like proportions. Chasin' the Gypsy, as you might guess, is an homage to Django Reinhardt, whose music Carter used to dig on Detroit radio when he was a teenager, but Carter doesn't take the predictable reverent path in paying his respects. He rummages through his closet and pulls out a rarely used bass saxophone on three cuts -- the bumpy sounds are often comic yet a comfortable fit for his antic style -- and even ... read more

Tracks:

1. Nuages [Reinhardt]
2. La Derniére Bergére (The Last Shepherdess) [Sauvat/Sinivine]
3. Manoir de Mes Reves/Django's Castle [Reinhardt]
4. Artillerie Lourde (Heavy Artillery) [Reinhardt]
5. Chasin' the Gypsy [Carter]
6. Oriental Shuffle [Reinhardt]
7. I'll Never Be the Same [Kahn/Malneck/Signor]
8. Avalon [DeSylva/Rose/Jolson]
9. Imari's Lullaby [Carter]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.