All Of It: Equalizers – Terri Lyne Carrington
Podcast Information:
- Title: All Of It
- Host/Author: WNYC
- Episode: Equalizers: Terri Lyne Carrington
- Release Date: March 20, 2025
- Description: ALL OF IT is a show about culture and its consumers, aiming to engage thinkers, doers, makers, and creators about the what and why of their work.
Introduction to Terri Lyne Carrington
The episode "Equalizers" features Terri Lyne Carrington, a Grammy-winning drummer, composer, and producer. Carrington is also the founder and artistic director of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice. Her illustrious career began in the 1980s, performing alongside jazz legends such as Wayne Shorter and Farrow Sanders, and serving as the house drummer for Arsenio Hall. Over the decades, she has evolved into a bandleader and a celebrated recording artist, producing her own music and that of other renowned artists like Diane Reeves and Tina Marie.
Notable Quote:
"Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music, what we believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we greet visitors, how we behave with loved ones, and a million other things." – Cristina De Rossi (Introduction contextualizing the show's focus on culture)
Early Career and First Productions
Carrington began producing albums in the late 1980s. Her first album, "Real Life Story" (1988), was co-produced with Robert Irving III, Miles Davis's musical director at the time. This collaboration marked the beginning of her solo production career. After a hiatus of over a decade, she returned to produce "Jazz is the Spirit" and "Structure" on the German label Act. Her significant breakthrough came with the "Mosaic Project", which earned her the first Grammy Award under the category Best Jazz Vocal in 2023. This win was notable as Carrington was primarily recognized as a producer rather than a vocalist, although she did sing on one track.
Notable Quote:
"I just love the feeling of creating something kind of from nothing... let the art itself emerge." – [04:32]
Philosophy on Music Production
Carrington emphasizes the importance of thematic coherence and narrative in music production. She likens producing an album to writing a story, where each decision contributes to an overarching message. Whether instrumental or vocal, maintaining a theme is crucial for creating a cohesive narrative both verbally and sonically.
Notable Quote:
"You have to think thematically... you create a narrative, both verbally, of course, and also sonically." – [05:26]
Transition to Producing Others: Working with Diane Reeves
A significant portion of the conversation revolves around Carrington's collaboration with Diane Reeves, a long-time friend and esteemed jazz vocalist. Their partnership dates back to their meeting at the Wichita Kansas Jazz Festival when Carrington was just ten years old. Over the years, Carrington has co-produced several of Reeves's albums, including "Art and Survival" (1993) and "Beautiful Life", the latter of which garnered a Grammy Award for Reeves and Carrington.
Notable Quote:
"We met when I was 10 years old and she was in her late teens... we've been friends ever since." – [10:13]
Production Challenges: The Story of "Feels so Good Lifted"
Carrington shares an insightful story about producing "Feels so Good Lifted" from Diane Reeves's album "Beautiful Life". During the final stages of production, Carrington lost a hard drive containing essential recordings. This led to a high-pressure situation where she had to quickly write new lyrics for the song "Feel So Good" to meet the album's deadline. Demonstrating resilience and adaptability, Carrington penned the lyrics in an hour, ensuring the album's completion without exceeding the budget.
Notable Quote:
"As a producer, you have to do so many different things... you have to just show up, focus and deliver." – [16:17]
Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice
Carrington founded the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice to address systemic gender issues within the jazz community and the broader music industry. Her initiative aims to create a supportive environment where women and other marginalized groups can thrive without facing the extra burdens and barriers prevalent in the field. The institute focuses on mentorship, advocacy, and education, promoting both racial and gender justice as foundational principles.
Notable Quote:
"We advocate and teach, mentor, advocate for people... with both racial justice and gender justice as guiding principles." – [19:11]
Gender and Production in the Music Industry
The discussion highlights the underrepresentation of women in production and engineering roles within the music industry. Carrington underscores the importance of institutions like her own institute in fostering equitable opportunities. She acknowledges the gradual increase in female engineers but emphasizes that true equity has yet to be achieved.
Notable Quote:
"Any other kinds of organizations or programs that are focused on this, it's very important." – [19:56]
Latest Project: Reimagining "We Insist"
Carrington is currently working on a new version of "We Insist", an influential suite originally composed by drummer Max Roach. This project aims to honor Roach's legacy on his centennial while bringing a fresh perspective to the piece. The reimagined version transforms the original fast-paced composition into a ballad, thereby altering its lyrical interpretation to reflect contemporary freedom movements alongside historical contexts like the Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth.
She collaborated with Julian Priester, the last surviving musician from the original recording, and featured artists such as Christy Dashiell, Simon Molier, Matthew Stevens, Morgan Guerin, and Melena Casado. The single "Freedom Day Part 1" was released a week prior to the episode, with the full album slated for a June release.
Notable Quote:
"I wanted to completely flip it... now this Freedom Day... also reflects some of the modern freedom movements and freedom struggles that we're facing today." – [23:50]
Conclusion
Terri Lyne Carrington's extensive career and her unwavering commitment to fostering inclusivity within the jazz and broader music community are profoundly showcased in this episode of "All Of It." Her insights into production, mentorship, and the challenges faced by women in the industry provide valuable perspectives for listeners interested in the intersection of culture, music, and social justice.
Final Note: The episode concludes with the play of Carrington's newly released track "Freedom Day," encapsulating her vision of blending historical reverence with contemporary relevance.
Notable Quotes Summary
-
Creating from Nothing:
"I just love the feeling of creating something kind of from nothing... let the art itself emerge." – [04:32]
-
Thematic Narrative:
"You have to think thematically... you create a narrative, both verbally, of course, and also sonically." – [05:26]
-
Long-time Collaboration:
"We met when I was 10 years old and she was in her late teens... we've been friends ever since." – [10:13]
-
Handling Pressure:
"As a producer, you have to do so many different things... you have to just show up, focus and deliver." – [16:17]
-
Advocacy and Mentorship:
"We advocate and teach, mentor, advocate for people... with both racial justice and gender justice as guiding principles." – [19:11]
-
Importance of Organizations:
"Any other kinds of organizations or programs that are focused on this, it's very important." – [19:56]
-
Reimagining "We Insist":
"I wanted to completely flip it... now this Freedom Day... also reflects some of the modern freedom movements and freedom struggles that we're facing today." – [23:50]
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the rich discussions, insights, and experiences shared by Terri Lyne Carrington in the "Equalizers" episode of WNYC's "All Of It." Whether you're a fan of jazz, an aspiring producer, or someone interested in cultural advocacy, Carrington's story offers valuable lessons on creativity, resilience, and the pursuit of equality in the arts.