The soundtrack to the 2022 PBS documentary about legendary jazz bassist
Ron Carter
,
Finding the Right Notes
showcases the musician's deeply intimate and nuanced small group, duo, and big band work. While the film explores the life and decades-long career of the iconic bassist, from his storied years with
Miles Davis
to his own varied solo projects, the album is primarily focused on the latter. In that sense, it feels less like a career-spanning compilation and more like a thoughtfully curated studio or live album. There are some interesting previously unheard and rare recordings featured here, including a live take of
Carter
's "Soft Winds" from the Newport Jazz Festival and a duet on "Willow Weep for Me" with bassist
Christian McBride
at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. Also included is
's duet with pianist
Jon Batiste
on "Sweet Lorraine" and his recording of "Bag's Groove" with bassist
Stanley Clarke
. These are magical pairings that reinforce just how deep the bassist's intergenerational influence runs. Equally compelling is his take on "My Man's Gone Now" with
Bill Frisell
off the guitarist's 2005
East/West
album. We also get several tracks culled from
's 2014 collaboration with Germany's
WDR Big Band
My Personal Songbook
, as well as some songs featuring his small group with pianist
Renee Rosnes
and saxophonist
Jimmy Greene
. These are all warmly delivered performances that reveal the subtlety, lyricism, and mastery of
's work. ~ Matt Collar