Proud Local 802 member Ron Carter is the most recorded jazz bassist in history. Carter, who joined Local 802 in 1959, celebrated his 85th birthday on May 10, 2022, in a sold-out concert at Carnegie Hall. Carter was insistent that all musicians on the event be covered by a union agreement. The concert included contributions by 802 members Carter, Renee Rosnes, Leon Maleson, Maxine Neuman, Ellen Zoe Hassman and Dorothy Lawson. In 2016, Carter told Allegro: “Unions are critical these days. Unions are our only voice to get a fair shake with wages, pension and health insurance. Unions are our survival, and unions have always been in the forefront of helping musicians. We work for these things, and those who don’t want to join the union are making a huge mistake.” Happy 85th Birthday, Maestro Ron Carter!

Caption and photos by Todd Bryant Weeks