Brian Carter

Featured Artist

Jazz In Out - La Rochelle  FRANCE

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8/10 -- Well I'm finnally going..... Thanks to:  The City of La Rochelle, The Jazz In Out Festival, The New Rochelle Sister City Commitee, Peter Korn and Mayor Bramson for all your support and good wishes. I will keep you posted on my progress.

    8/11 -- Thank You Janice at  The New Rochelle City Managers Office and Thank You Kathy Gilkes New Rochelle Comunications Manager, I now have the special gifts for my hosts in La Rochelle. They have much to acomplish to compete with New Rochelle in the way our guests, Guillaume & Cyprien were graciously treated. Thanks to Bill Zimmerman at New Rochelle Parks & Rec. Sheila, and her husband their generous hosts and many others in the Sister City Committe. Also I have spoken to Michael Calamonico, and he is planning a special event for the last day of the Jazz In Out  Festival, more on that later. 

     8/12-- Travel overnight to La Rochelle saw Paris for the first time and rode on a 150 mph train.

     8/13-- 10:00 am Arrive in La Rochelle to a warm welcome frome Mike Calamonico, Gilloume, Cyprien, and Christoph (Gilloume's father & Pres. Jazzinout), Jan (Also with Jazzinout). We then drove to our stunning accomidations. One block from the Harbour gates seen on all the pictures!... We then had dinner with Mike C. and his family Domanica, his wife, Christine & Denis his 16 and 14 year old children. That was perfect because of my son Brian II (15) and Sarah my step daughter (13).....au'revoir...

     8/14 -- After walking to the boulagerie for crossants, we strolled through the covered streets of La Rochelle. At 3pm I went to the La Rochelle radio station where Marshal Gilkes and I had a live interview. I then went to the Jazz In Out kick off event, at the Musee de Neuvo Monde, (Museum of the New World).  There I met Eric the cureator of the museum. There is always plenty of great wine here and this event was no exeption. However, I have some responsabilities. This is the event that I present the Gift given from Mayor of New Rochelle, Noam Bramson, to Mayor Bono of La Rochelle. In his stead was the gracious Maddame Chegneau - Deputy Mayor, as Mayor Bono was on vacation. I carefully presented the gift on behalf of our fine city, an I thanked The City of La Rochelle, The Jazz In Out Organization, and The Musee Neuvo Monde for having me. I was then presented with a framed print of  the City of La Rochelle, and a bottle of Peneau Des Charentes, a special blend of cognac indiginous to La Rochelle. It was a fine evening....

      8/15 -- First day of the Jazz Festival I had two cameo appearances. One of which was with Cypren's group SWOK.

I was told I played well, dispite not ever having played the song "Tu Tu" by Miles Davis before. For more pics. and video check out : www.myspace.com/briancarterquartet or http://www.jazzinout.fr/

Also that day the whole family began a tour of the three famous towers in La Rochelle. We found out that the middle one, (the shortest) was 14 meters taller. However those who occupied it in the 14th century blew the top off! Here are som pic.s

     8/16 -- Jazz In Out faces the weather on this day. However the show goes on. I again got a chance to join a jazz ensemble with Marshal, but that was before the skies opened. Jazz fans in La Rochelle are special though, they came equiped with jackets and umbrellas. I  and the family, were awarded gift wrapped La Rochelle umbrellas. Thank you Christophe of Jazz In Out, and Eric of Musee De Neuvo Monde. The loyal Jazz In Out fans did not leave until the end!

     8/17 - Special Day - I opened the days events with a Drum Solo! The other acts that day did not have a drummer so I did not play with them, but Marshal Gilkes Blew everyone away again with his vurtuosity. There was a jam at the end of the night.... Still the crowd would not leave....

      8/18 - The Last Day Of Jazz In Out - A very special Suprise Guest, (Guests), were on the way. This was by far the best day of the Festival. The Special Guests were Diddier Lockwood and his two VERY talanted sons. One on Trumpet and one playing Piano. WOW! What a great vibe on stage! After we had a  group consisting of Alain Mayeras - Piano, Arnaud Axler - Guitar, and Cyril Babin - Upright Bass join myself and Marshal Gilkes - Trombone for the finale. This was a fine group, I was privelaged to play with each and every one.

    8/19 - It was time to say goodby to my new French family. I say this because I was treated like nothing short of a SPECIAL family member by all who were involved with this fine festival... Thank you Christophe & Joele, Madame Cheneau, Mike & Domanique, Janne, Eric, Marshal, Philip, and the many others who have made this relationship between our two fine cities stronger, and more unified through Music..