Paul Carr & Friends

Recording of their performance on 6/19/21

Paul Carr, Saxes 
Allyn Johnson, Piano 
Amy Shook, Bass 
Chris Latona, Drums 

Paul Carr, a Houston native and 1985 Howard University graduate, has dedicated his professional career to mastering the saxophone and the art of Jazz. He carries on the Texas tenor tradition espoused by great heroes such as the late Houstonians Arnett Cobb and Don Wilkerson who served as his early idols and mentors. He grew up in inner-city Houston and was a member of the Kashmere High School Stage Band, whose director, the late Conrad Johnson, is the subject of a documentary, Thunder Soul, produced by actor Jamie Foxx. Though never having had private music lessons, Paul has received several outstanding musician awards at high school and college jazz festivals.

Paul has recorded 5 CD’s, which have been well received by critics and jazz fans alike. His new CD “DC-NYC Organ Sessions” eleased in September, 2014 and hit the top 10  on the Jazz Week radio play charts. His 2013 CD, “Standard Domain,” reached #3 on the Jazz Week radio play chart and stayed on the chart for 16 weeks.

Paul has toured Russia, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Central and South America and has shared the stage with many of the greatest names in jazz. Paul was a favorite of President Clinton during his term in office and Paul performed at many of the Clintons' private events. He also did a special performance for the late King Hussein and Queen Noir of Jordan at their residence in Aqaba, Jordan.

Paul is passionately committed to the education of children and particularly as it relates to the preservation of jazz. In 2002, he founded the Jazz Academy of Music, which hosts summer camps and jazz ensembles for kids throughout the year. Paul has changed the lives of hundreds of his students by selflessly sharing his knowledge of music and life. Several of his students have been admitted and even received full scholarships to some of the top music schools and conservatories in the country. In fact, five of Paul's students have been admitted to the prestigious Julliard School of Music in New York.

Paul’s work was acknowledged in 2012 by ABC Channel 7 News when he was selected as a “Harris Hero” for his amazing work with music students across the area. Most recently in March 2014, Paul received the prestigious, Howard University, “Benny Golson Jazz Master Award”, for his outstanding work as a performer, presenter and educator. He served as a panelist at the 2014 Congressional Black Caucus where he spoke on the importance of jazz education and advocated for a Bill currently being vetted in Congress that will offer federal support toward the advancement and preservation of traditional jazz.

In 2010, Paul re-established the East Coast Jazz Festival as the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival and serves as its Executive and Artistic Director. The festival enjoys over 2,000 attendees that travel from states across the U.S. and beyond. 

Streaming cost is $10
Donations are welcomed.