Ron Carter
Acoustic Bass Solo on
Cyclic Episode

About

Ron Carter's acoustic bass solo is the second of three solos on "Cyclic Episode" from Sam Rivers's 1964 Blue Note debut Fuchsia Swing Song, following Rivers's nine-chorus tenor saxophone. He takes five choruses of the 16-bar form at 204 BPM in B-flat minor, an extended bass solo that demonstrates the melodic command and technical facility that made Carter one of the most prolific and respected bassists in jazz history. At 26 to 27 years old, he was already a member of Miles Davis's second great quintet, and his playing here shows the same adventurous spirit. He is followed by Jaki Byard on piano.

Ron Carter was 26 to 27 years old at the time.