Paul Carr

Paul Carr, a Houston native, has dedicated his professional career to mastering the technically challenging saxophone and the art of Jazz. Paul is a heavyweight contender amongst saxophonists. He carries on the Texas tenor tradition espoused by great hero’s such as the late Houstonian Arnett Cobb. Other influences in his music include John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins. Paul completed his formal music education at Howard University, garnering a prestigious Distinguished Performance Award at the 1983 Notre Dame Jazz Festival and a citation in Down Beat Magazine.

Paul’s first CD, PC 10 debuted in 1993. PC 10 received accolades from the music critics of some of the most respected newspapers and magazines in the United States with statements such as:

…..Terrific Debut” -Houston Post

Paul Carr plumbs post-bop in his debut with a tart tone that darts and swings on neck-breaking tempos, yet turns deliciously dynamic on ballads…” -USA Today (3 Stars)

Firm Roots is the first to reveal the depth of Carr’s harmonic and rhythmic abilities. Taken at a pell-mell pace, the descending corkscrew theme turns into a roller-coaster of a ride, beautifully paced and sustained by Carr’s crisp tone…” – The Washington Post

Paul has shared the stage with various performing artist including Wynton Marsalis, Brandford Marsalis, Eddie Henderson, Kent Jordan, Charles Fambrough, Gary Bartz, Shirley Scott, Kirk Whalum and Washington D.C.’s own Buck Hill. Paul also won the Hennesy Best of Washington and Baltimore Jazz Search Contest. In 1993, Paul made his acting debut in the off Broadway production of the Buddy Holly story where he played the roll of the late great saxophonist King Curtis. Paul can also be seen in the film Liberty Heights, directed by the renown director Barry Levinson.

Paul has continued to perform all over the world. He has been a featured performer at festivals from DC to New Orleans to San Remo, Italy. Paul was one of the first saxophonist to perform in Russia after the ice of the cold war began to melt. He has performed at the White House for President Clinton and his guest on several occasions. He also had the honor of performing for the late King Hussein of Jordan in Amman, Jordan in the summer of 1994. Paul most recently performed in the Curacao International Jazz Festival and the Atlanta Jazz Festival in May, 2001. Paul will also be performing in this year’s New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

In addition to performing, Paul has taught in Montgomery County Public Schools and privately in Maryland for over 16 years. Paul is passionately committed to the education of children and particularly as it relates to the preservation of Jazz. Paul is director of the Arts in Education Jazz Orchestra. This Virginia based orchestra tours schools in Virginia promoting Jazz. Many of Paul’s students have earned placement in honors and all state bands. Several have received scholarships to major universities and have successfully pursued careers in music. Paul also conducts clinics and master classes in Maryland and Virginia.