Ron Carter
Acoustic Bass Solo on
Beatrice

About

Ron Carter's acoustic bass solo is the third and final solo on "Beatrice" from Sam Rivers's 1964 Blue Note debut Fuchsia Swing Song, following Rivers's tenor saxophone and Jaki Byard's piano. He takes two choruses of the 16-bar form at 123 BPM in F, bringing a melodic, singing quality to his bass improvisation on Rivers's beloved composition. At 26 to 27 years old, Carter's solo demonstrates the warmth and musicality that would make him the most recorded bassist in jazz history. His two-chorus statement brings the solo section to a gentle close on one of the album's most tender tracks.

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