DC Jazz Festival Announces Ron Carter and Corcoran Holt Artist Residencies

The DC Jazz Festival® (DCJF) has announced that NEA Jazz Master Ron Carter, bandleader and maestro of the bass, and ace bassist Corcoran Holt will serve as the 2024 DC Jazz Festival’s Artists-In-Residence.

A 3-time Grammy winner and 5-time nominee, Ron Carter holds the Guinness Book of World Records distinction as the most recorded bassist in recorded music history.  Carter is universally recognized as our most prolific bassist.  As a leader, he has made over 60 recordings.  As an MVP contributor to more than 2,200 recordings, he has collaborated with a who’s who of American and global music, from Geri Allen, Miles Davis and Horace Silver to peers such as Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter to Aretha Franklin, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Paul Simon and Jefferson Airplane.  Additionally, Carter has passed along his universe of musical knowledge to succeeding generations as an educator.  He is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at City College of New York, and a faculty member at the Juilliard School. 

“Serving as DC Jazz Festival Artist-In-Residence is a new affiliation that I greatly relish and look forward to,” said Maestro Ron Carter. 

Ron Carter will share this residency with next-generation bassist Corcoran Holt, whose career he inspired.  A native of Washington, DC, Holt is a graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and the DC Youth Orchestra Program.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Studies degree from Shenandoah Conservatory.  Holt holds an Assistant Professorship at Arizona State University.  “My upbringing in Washington DC prepared me for my journey in life as a musician and educator. This DC Jazz Festival residency exemplifies coming full circle to my DC roots,” said Corcoran Holt. “I am truly honored to take part.” 

The aim of the Artist-In-Residence program, part of DC Jazz Festival Education, is to foster deeper connections between artists, DC Jazz Festival and the jazz community.  During the residency, artists serve as guest curators, collaborate with other artists, participate in master classes and interviews, and support DC Jazz Festival Education community engagement activities.

Learn more about the DC Jazz Festival and all of our programs by visiting www.dcjazzfest.org.