Among the impressive cast of musicians lumped together as “Young Lions” in the 1990s, trumpeter Roy Hargrove and reed expert James Carter roared the loudest.

The Dallas-raised Hargrove won Grammy® awards for his 1997 Cuban jazz session Habana and the 2002 Miles and Coltrane tribute Directions in Music with Herbie Hancock and Michael Brecker. He has also explored R&B and soul through his RH Factor band and collaborations with Erykah Badu, D’Angelo and Common.

James Carter earned his stripes with avant garde masters Lester Bowie and Julius Hemphill, then lit out on his own with a series of far-flung recordings, exploring funk/fusion on Layin’ in the Cut and Django Reinhardt-inspired swing on Chasing the Gypsy.

The explosively talented improvisers have displayed a feeling for meditative material, which will serve them well at Grace Cathedral. Both artists are crafting sets designed around the majestic room’s singular sonic properties, promising an inspirational chapter in the uplifting Sacred Space series – another SFJAZZ exclusive.

"An explosive soloist…Hargrove puts himself
in competition with the masters of the past."
—The New York Times

"One of the most exciting young virtuosos in
contemporary music"
—JazzTimes on James Carter