JUNE 2021 WILL BRING 'COMFORT' AN ORIGINAL ONLINE SHORT FILM FEATURING THE DONA CARTER ENSEMBLE.

THIS JUNE YOU TUBE WILL FEATURE 'COMFORT FOR OUR FAMILIES' STARTING JUNE 21, 2021.

About Dona Carter

Dona Carter has been active as a pianist, composer and music educator in the New York area for many years. She has written and arranged music for large and small ensembles, often sharing the stage with other outstanding musicians and singers. She is affiliated with Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), a member of the musicians Union Local 802, and is also a Steinway Educational Partner. She was a good friend of Ornette Coleman, who often invited her to rehearse with his band.

Dona Carter is originally from Hartford Connecticut, where she was conservatory trained.. Once in New York she continued music studies and earned degrees in music at Barnard College, Columbia University and also at Lehman College. She has performed in a variety of venues from Town Hall and Lincoln Center to CUNY Graduate Center’s Recital Hall. Along the way there were many local clubs and cafes where she’s delighted the audiences with her lyrical piano style. She mentors performing arts students of all ages, recently as music director of an adaptation of Fame. Dona Carter has several CDs featuring many of her original compositions which are available at CD Baby, YouTube and iTunes. Show host Lamon Fenner has interviewed her on WHCR’s Sunday Jazz Break at 8, where her music is often played. She was also a featured artist at the Hartford Jazz Festival with her Quintet.

You can follow Dona Carter on Face Book and check out her website www.donacarter.net. According to Dona “playing piano at Bryant Park is one of the highlights of my summer -- it’s a joy!” . For over ten years she performed in the park.

"HARLEM CELEBRATES WOMEN IN MUSIC" MAY 3, 2019. AN ALL STAR BAND WITH MUSIC THAT WILL MAKE YOUR SPIRIT SOAR.

MS. CARTER IS A FORMER MEMBER OF THE INSPIRATIONAL CHOIR AT RIVERSIDE CHURCH. SHE ALSO WAS A BOARD MEMBER OF IWJ, AND LED THEIR JAZZ CHORUS.

Dona carter performs solo piano at program honoring Janice Suber

October 2015 a great gospel musician and singer, Janice Suber was celebrated at a banquet sponsored by St. Stephens Church in Harlem. Dona was one of many performers on the program. Ms. Suber often sang and played with Ms. Carter's previous ensembles. It was a beautiful reunion.

INTERVIEWS AND PERFORMANCES 

For Information or questions about Dona Carter, send an email to [email protected]

Columbia University Professor Brent Edwards recently interviewed Dona Carter, with a special interest in jazz in NYC in the 1970's, when she was very active as a band leader. She performed at Artist House with her band opening for jazz great Ornette Coleman. She was asked to perform on Channel 7 TV, and also performed at Town Hall. Prof. Edwards is preparing an online book on jazz.

What's on My Mind?

Thinking about tunes for my next CD.

TEACHING MUSIC BUILDS BRIDGES

Some days I joke that I'm paying for my "doctorate degree" at the school of hard knocks.

MUSIC CATALOG CONTAINS ORIGINAL INSTRUMENTALS AND SONGS WITH LYRICS

Lyrics to "When I Get Back Home" (from the Dona Carter DC Jazz CD)

I see a fork in the road, and I'm starting a journey.

Will you be there when I get back home?

What lies ahead I'm not certain, but I need a chance to fly, and give my dreams a try...;;

Dona's music on iTunes, CDbaby.com. and Amazon. Sample, download your favorite song.

THIS YEAR HAS BEEN GREAT SO FAR! I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO CREATING SOME EXCITING NEW MUSIC WITH MY BAND. I BELIEVE THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

Music is a way of life!

Above, Dona Carter, Bill Carter and Larry Roland, bass. 

" Music is a force for healing hearts and uniting people of all cultures and

ethnic groups. Video will play, just click on the box.

I've tried to reach out by composing pieces that share joy and hope."

Dona Carter has a BA degree in Music from Barnard College~Columbia University, and a MA degree from Lehman College in Music Education. She attended the Hartford Conservatory of Music and the JazzMobile Workshop. "My family always stressed education for me and my siblings. I'm glad they all encouraged my love for music. But after coming through the jazz world, I sometimes joke that I went to the school of hard knocks." She led the IWJ Jazz Chorus and directed Portraits in Major and Minor where theater meets jazz, described as a marvelous piece.

Her music is often featured on WHCR's Sunday night jazz show.

"My CDs are available at CD Baby and iTunes. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/donacarter. You can contact me via the guest book for my music, including lead sheets. Check out the Photos page for the covers to my albums.  

HERE DONA'S BAND PERFORMS IN HER HOMETOWN, HARTFORD, CT. RADIO STATION WWUH BROADCAST THE CONCERT LIVE.

The Dona Carter Quintet with Bill Carter, Sedric Choukroun, and Camille Jones, (Larry Roland not seen). Hartford Jazz Society

INSTRUMENTS MAY BE MADE OF WOOD AND METAL, BUT WITH THE RIGHT PERSON PLAYING, MUSIC TOUCHES THE HEART OF THE LISTENER. I LOVE INTERACTING WITH MY MUSIC STUDENTS AND PERFORMING WITH OTHER MUSICIANS.

This CD single, 'We Share One World' has greetings in 7 languages. Available now, just request it through t he guest book.