Carter Minor and Jason Barker have teamed up to form an entertaining duo saluting their common love for blues music.  The pair have been developing a dynamic act since they made their first appearance at Bogart's of Raleigh, NC in April 2002.   Their performances were so well-received that the popular venue asked them to host "Blue Mondays" twice per month:  a regular engagement which continued for over a year.

The Carter Minor & Jason Barker Blues Duo covers many textures of the blues.  From Little Walter to Jimi Hendrix and many points in between, the duo strives to retain the soulfulness of the music's founding fathers while putting their own distinctive stamp on the songs.  By using an electronic rhythm machine with real-time control and low-wattage amplifiers, Minor and Barker manage to create a sound that is equally at home in small restaurant-style environments where volume concerns might be a priority, or in larger venues than can accomodate a more powerful approach.

The duo has received raves for their tight and full sound which belies the two-man format.  Without the need for drums taking up stage space,  The Carter Minor & Jason Barker Blues Duo is able to fit into just about any situation while not sacrificing the energy and punch traditionally associated with the blues.

Minor and Barker's musical paths have crossed on numerous occasions during the past decade before their current project took flight.  Both are longtime veterans of the music scene based in the Triangle area of North Carolina.  They have shared the stage many times and been involved in a number of recording sessions together.

Carter Minor has over 35 years of experience as a talented artist with diverse tastes.  An accomplished jazz singer with an equally-adept touch for blues and gospel, Minor was raised in a family where music was important.  His father played piano for the legendary Count Basie and Louis Jordan.  Carter's musical experience is particularly rich with stints in Heartwood and Steps, two prominent regional bands of the 1970's and 80's respectively.  Throughout the 90's Minor gigged regularly with his band, The Power Hitters.  He has augmented his expressive vocal style as a multi-instrumentalist excelling at harmonica, keyboards and bass guitar.  Minor handles vocals and harp duties for the blues collaboration with Barker, and simultaneously plays the bass guitar!

When he's not performing with Barker, Minor attends to a busy schedule which includes teaching band and drama at the Cary Christian School in Cary, NC, directing choir at Hickory Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, NC and giving private voice and harp lessons.  Aside from supplying his singing voice for numerous radio commercials,  Carter also lends his talents to the highly-regarded pianist Robert Griffin and John Larson.
 

Jason Barker's credits include more than 15 years as a professional musician (click here for extended bio).  A versatile artist in his own right with a love for many musical styles, he has supplied his melodic and energetic fretwork for acts such as A2Z, Blue Coyote, and Mel Melton & The Wicked Mojos in addition to a variety of country and Top-40 groups.   Whether touring on the road or performing in the studio, Barker's organic yet refined guitar style has drawn in many admirers over the years.

Jason regularly teaches private guitar instruction and engineers recording projects at SunnySound Studio in Durham, NC.  His Steelbender Web Site has become a popular online destination for guitarists from around the world and has generated requests from some of the most prominent manufacturers of guitar equipment for online product demonstrations.  Barker has also operated as a clinician and recording consultant for Carr Amplifiers.  For the blues duo with Minor, Barker serves as guitarist and controls the "virtual drummer" during performances.