Multi-GRAMMY® Winner Ron Carter and Eight-Time GRAMMY® Nominee Ricky Dillard Unite for SWEET, SWEET SPIRIT
“The jazz legend and the gospel icon may seem like a musical odd couple on paper, but their creative chemistry is undeniable. Definitely a musical moment, the album is a first-of-its-kind fusion of gospel’s sacred power and jazz’s masterful improvisation.”
—Okay Player
Jazz and gospel have always shared deep roots, but on Sweet, Sweet Spirit, multi-GRAMMY® winner Ron Carter and eight-time GRAMMY® nominee Ricky Dillard explore that connection in a way that feels both reverent and genuinely fresh. Released jointly through Blue Note Records and Motown Gospel, the album pairs Carter’s unmistakable bass with Dillard’s New-G choir, reimagining the hymns that surrounded Carter during his childhood in Detroit. The title track, “Sweet Sweet Spirit,” sets the tone, with Carter’s bass taking on a lyrical voice of its own against the choir’s rich harmonies. The improvisational freedom of jazz and the emotional power of gospel feel completely at home together here, giving familiar sacred music a distinctive new setting.
What gives Sweet, Sweet Spirit even greater weight is the story behind it. The album honors Carter’s late mother, Willie O. Carter, and draws from the hymns she loved and that Carter remembers hearing sung a cappella in church. Nearly three decades ago, when his mother entered a care facility, Carter’s sisters asked him to arrange and record ten of her favorite hymns so she could listen to them. What began as an intimate gift from a son to his mother ultimately became the foundation for Sweet, Sweet Spirit. That history can be felt throughout the record, giving the music an intimacy rooted in faith, family and memory. At its heart, this is a son revisiting the music that shaped his family and finding a meaningful way to carry it forward.
Ron Carter and Ricky Dillard bring extraordinary legacies to Sweet, Sweet Spirit. Mr. Carter, affectionately known as “Maestro,” is one of jazz’s most influential bassists, a celebrated bandleader and composer whose career includes landmark work with Miles Davis and collaborations with generations of jazz greats. Dillard, known as “The Choirmaster,” has spent decades advancing contemporary gospel through his work with New-G, earning acclaim for his commanding arrangements, powerhouse ensemble vocals and dedication to the gospel choir tradition. On Sweet, Sweet Spirit, two artists with unmistakable musical identities bring their experience to a project grounded in something universal: the music we inherit, the people who give it meaning and the memories that stay with us. Amen to that!
For more information on the artists and project, visit RonCarterJazz.com and RickyDillardOfficial.com.
REVIEWS
"The duo fuses the smooth groove of the Jazz bass with the inspirational sounds of the Gospel choir. Ron Carter and Ricky Dillard’s upbeat and rhythmic rendition of “Open My Eyes” is sure to move hearts and stir souls."
—iHeart
"In a historic musical collaboration bridging two of America’s most profound genres, the “Maestro” Ron Carter and the “Choirmaster” Ricky Dillard release their groundbreaking joint album, Sweet, Sweet Spirit on February 6, 2026. Merging the lively and expert backing of Dillard’s famed New-G choir, the album is a first-of-its-kind fusion of Gospel’s sacred power and Jazz’s masterful improvisation."
—Bass Magazine
"Carter’s exquisite bass lines drive the music as usual, but with the addition of a gospel choir, the entire experience feels even more lifted."
—No Treble
"Given the star power, this undeniably uplifting album is destined for high recognition."
—Glide Magazine
