Jason Carter builds extraordinary bridges between cultures.  he brings the best of western musical art to the east, but does so in ways which are aesthetically and culturally sensitive.  we were proud to have jason with us.

Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles - British Ambassador, Kabul, Afghanistan

British guitarist Jason Carter has performed in more than 70 countries, mainly as a solo guitarist. his compositions are a unique blend of styles and influences that he has absorbed whilst 'on the road' , although there are distinct influences from the Middle East and India. through various tunings, he is able to capture a vast array of colours and atmospheres.
 

Jason is committed to using music in situations and areas where there is conflict, as music, and in his case, non-verbal music, can be a magical bridge builder between cultures and individuals. Jason has performed in countries such as North Korea, Iran, Northern Ireland, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and was present in these countries when there was either local conflict, or issues regarding security and stability which could have been a concern to the global community.
 

Collaborations are also vital in Jason's musical life, and he believes that collaboration is possible between any musical style, providing the artists involved are willing to listen, build bridges and communicate. He has collaborated with musicians from all over the world, including musicians such as Nigel Kennedy, Michael Manring, Hossam Ramzy, Maire Brennan (Clannad), Phil Keaggy, Antonio Forcione, Gordon Giltrap, Steve Lawson, Babik Reinhardt (son of Django Reinhardt), Nick Beggs, Steve Bingham, Vishnu Sanju Sahai and Sting's guitarist Dominic Miller. The most recent collaboration is with Marjan and Mahsa Vahdat, 2 Iranian singers whom Jason met at the freemuse conference in Istanbul in 2006. the Nobel Peace Prize Foundation in Norway are partly sponsoring a tour for them commencing March 2008.
 

Jason has recorded 11 albums, for EMI (USA) Bohemian Productions (USA), Sony (India), Arc Music and ASV Records UK. His latest disc for Naim Audio (UK), the "Helsinki Project", is the result of three years work, a collaboration between Jason and other artists from Finland, UK, Germany, Holland, Australia, USA, Morocco, Egypt, India, Afghanistan and Senegal. Jason has appeared on compliations alongside artists such as John Schofield, Alan Holdsworth, John Paul Jones (Led Leppelin) , Trey Gunn (King Crimson), Ozzy Ozbourne, Joe Satriani, Larry Coryell, Steve Morse, Hariprasad Chaurasia and Trilok Gurtu. Aside from working on a new solo guitar cd in Finland, Jason is collaborating with singer Natassa Mare in Greece, for a series of concerts and a recording project.
 

Jason has been playing the guitar for almost thirty years. He is predominantly self-taught but has attended master classes with guitarists John Williams and Paco Pena at the Royal Academy of Music. In 2001 he received a music award from the Crown Prince of Bahrain alongside 4 traditional Bahraini artists (pearl divers). Jason also received an honorary diploma from the government of North Korea during his visit there in April 2007, in the name of 'peace and friendship'.
 

Apart from Jason's interest in 'world music', he has also collaborated with 'classical' musicians from the west. He has recorded the 'Boccherini guitar quintets' with the Bingham String Quartet, and performed the 'Rodrigo Guitar Concerto' with orchestras from Finland, Ireland and the UK. The Hong Kong Chinese orchestra are also commissioning a Chinese composer to compose a piece for Jason and the HKCO.

Interview

How old were you when you got your 1st guitar, and what type was it?
I was nine years old, it was a guitar from the argos catalogue, a classical guitar,Ii received it for christmas from my parents. My first harp guitar I bought when I was 39!

Who was the most influential person in your life?
In terms of music i must say Michael Hedges, as a player and musical storyteller. otherwise my grandmother.

What has been the most rewarding moment of your career?
I think, standing on stage in Pyongyang, North Korea, receiving an honorary diploma from the government there. It made me realise, that music, really does "build bridges" between peoples. I had played to 3000 North Koreans, for 5 nights in a row, not even the highest ranking diplomat, UN official, or any foreigner to that matter, would be allowed to address such a large group, if not any size group of North Koreans, in public

 What make is your guitar and what do you love most about it?
The harp guitar is by Stephen Sedgwick. He is a genius harp guitar maker.Tthe balance and sustain is incredible, coupled with the warm tone of a real acoustic instrument. My spanish guitar is by Antonio Marin Montero, a master craftsman from Granada, Spain, this guitar projects clearly and easily, alongside the incredible tone. I have another classical guitar, a John Mills Asturias classical, which is now fretless. I also play a Maestro steel string from Singapore, this has the grit of a Martin at an unbelievable price.

What cd or album do you listen to the most at the moment?
3 discs are on my cd player at present. "Vespertine" by Bjork, "Agætis Byrjun" by Sugur Ross, and "Tabula Rasa" by Arvo Part

Name a piece of music or song that has changed your life, and tell us why?
Because it's there by Michael Hedges. I was at a friends place in Bordeaux 3 years ago and he showed me this video of Michael. It turned my whole approach to music around by about 90 degrees. The tonality, techinique, atmosphere, energy and stillness in this piece still touches me deeply.

If you could perform with any musician in the world, who would you choose and why?
Bjork because of her honesty in music, her approach to sound combinations, and way of being with an audience. 

What is the worst thing that has happened to you on stage?
Hearing a gunfight just outside the compound walls of the british council compound in Kabul, Afghanistan last July, during my concert. I wasn't sure if people were trying to get in to the compound, or if it was just a disagreement between the locals. It turned out to be a minor disagreement between locals, which was settled quickly it seems.