Regina Carter's Reverse Thread: Newport Jazz 2011

By Patrick Jarenwattananon

Published August 6, 2011 at 4:02 PM EDT

Regina Carter performs at the Fort Stage during the Newport Jazz Festival.

Like many jazz musicians before her, violinist Regina Carter has been mining her African cultural inheritance through music. Hers is a postmodern approach; her latest record, Reverse Thread, is as likely to source from field recordings of Ugandan Jews as from contemporary Afropop and beyond. It's also delightfully easygoing, intricate yet breezy. Carter and her unique band — featuring kora (West African harp) and accordion — open the main Fort Stage with a bright, vibrant show.

Personnel

Regina Carter, violin

Will Holshouser, accordion

Yacouba Sissoko, kora

Chris Lightcap, bass

Alvester Garnett, drums