A jazz musician who got his start busking on the streets of Hythe and Southampton has released his debut album.

Ben Carter grew up in Hythe and started his career as a jazz saxophonist by playing for local bands in the area, before going on to study at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.    

The 23-year old, who draws inspiration from classic West Coast jazz legends like Art Pepper and Paul Desmond, has recently released his first album Pulsar.

(Image: Supplied)

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The album, named after enormous collapsing stars that emit rhythmic pulses of radiation, is the latest step on a promising career that has already seen him play with famous Jazz musicians such as Phronesis and Laura Jurd.

(Image: Supplied)

As a teenager, Ben busked in Southampton and at local events such as the first two Rock The Pier festivals in Hythe, honing his knowledge and love of jazz while raising money for local charities including The Honeypot Children’s Charity, the Blackfield based charity which offers respite breaks for young carers among its charitable endeavours.

Ben has also played in jazz bands across Hampshire, enjoying performing with Romsey Area Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Southampton Youth Jazz Orchestra at world renowned city venue Turner Sims.

In the future, Ben is keen to take his band on tour across the country - but he also wants to bring his music home to some of the concert halls where he first encountered and fell in love with jazz.

“I'd love to play more gigs locally across Hampshire, especially in a concert hall like the Turner Sims that I have a lot of history with, that would be amazing,” he said. 

Ben added: "My main goal is for as many people as possible to listen to my music and hopefully enjoy it."

Ben Carter’s ‘Pulsar’ is now available on Spotify and iTunes, and you can also buy the album in CD format on Ben’s website at bencartersax.uk