Ricky Carter is a veteran percussionist originally from Baltimore whose fierce attention to detail and deep pocket have graced performances and recordings all over the US and Europe for the last 25 years. From his first tour in Virginia as a young teen playing drums in his cousin’s band with a note from his grandmother stating it was ok for “little Ricky on the drums” to play the clubs, Mr. Carter was on the path of a working musician.
After stints in the Morgan State University and Tournament of Roses marching bands, and extended classical and jazz studies under Jennifer Judkins (UCLA director of bands), John “Terry” Tarribasso (Stan Kenton), David Rothenthal (San Francisco Ballet), and Danny Montoro (San Francisco Opera), Ricky became a sought after session player in the San Francisco bay area, and a singer/songwriter’s “drummer of choice.”
Over the years, Ricky has put together an extensive list of projects, including work with A Thin Line, electronic/noir band Under, A Beautiful Year (featuring Beth Waters), jazz/folk ensemble Jack West and Curvature, Erica Lindsay’s Trace Elements w/ Mike DiPirro, Percy Howard’s Meridian Group, musician and composer Robert Rich, and trumpeter Doug Ellington. As sensitive of an artist as he is a person, Mr. Carter’s ears are as big as his heart – both of which can be heard in the soul he brings to every bandstand.