Renowned violinist Regina Carter to perform at WHBPAC

The vast majority of classically trained violinists tend to follow the classical path throughout their careers. Only a very select few venture off that track to explore other idioms, like jazz or world music.

Regina Carter is one of the few, and East End music lovers will have a chance to enjoy the results of her unique and innovative explorations when she takes the stage at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center on Sunday, August 23, at 8:30 p.m. Known particularly for her mastery of jazz violin, Ms. Carter will bring a slightly different, cross-cultural program to the PAC this weekend.

Ms. Carter and her current band—which features drums, bass, accordion, and a harp-like instrument called a kora—will perform music from a recently-completed CD, “Reverse Thread,” due out early next year. The album was influenced by the music of the African diaspora, Ms. Carter said in an interview last week.

Since recording the album in April, Ms. Carter and her band have premiered the pieces at various venues, and the response has been very positive, she said.

“We’ve been performing a little while, and people seem to really respond to it,” she said.

“It’s very trance-like music,” she explained, adding, “These are very singable, attractive melodies.”

“I’ve wanted to do a record of this music, or music that was inspired by African rhythms and melodies for a very long time,” she said. “So I decided to do this project myself.”

Ms. Carter, a 2006 recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” Award, said she used the fellowship to further her research for the album. Though the album is complete, she said she is far from done with her research.

“Africa is such a huge continent,” she said. “There’s not just one type of music.”

“There are so many styles and cultures in Africa,” she said. “I haven’t even delved that deep into it.”

“This music presented a challenge,” she explained. “It sounds simple, but then again simple is not always what it appears to be.”

As for what concertgoers can expect on Sunday, Ms. Carter said the performance will include selections from “Reverse Thread” as well as a sampling of her previous works, including songs from her more jazz-focused albums “I’ll Be Seeing You,” and “Paganini—After a Dream.”

Most important, she said, no one should come to the concert with preconceived ideas of what the music will be like, particularly if they are unfamiliar with her work.

“The violin is just a vehicle,” she said with a laugh.

While she plans to continue her research of African musical traditions, Ms. Carter admitted she will be increasingly busy this fall. This weekend’s gig will kick off months of touring for the violinist, who will also continue independent research in music therapy, in addition to maintaining a residency at Oakland University in Michigan, her alma mater.

Regina Carter will perform at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center on Sunday, August 23, at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $30, $45, or $60, and are available by calling 288-1500 or visiting www.whbpac.org.