Fred Irby III, the beloved longtime director of the Howard University Jazz Ensemble, was preparing to step down from the job after 50 years when he talked with Swing Beat in April 2023. It didn’t quite work out that way. For a number of reasons, Irby agreed to stay on for another 12 months, finally retiring earlier this year.

When he did, Irby recommended Paul Carr to succeed him.

Such a recommendation from Irby—as respected a jazz educator as they come, both on campus and off—goes a long way in matters such as this. On the other hand, Carr was such an obvious choice for the gig that the people who make these decisions must have had their eye on him before Irby said a word.

“It’s already very, very rewarding,” says Carr, who, full disclosure, is a personal and professional friend of Swi

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