Violin great Regina Carter is an end-of-life doula when not recording, touring or teaching

George Varga | The San Diego Union-Tribune (TNS)

A jazz doula?

Violin great Regina Carter has earned worldwide acclaim — and national awards and honors — for her musical skill, vision and ability to shine as a soloist, band leader, composer and first-call collaborator for everyone from Dolly Parton, Wynton Marsalis and Billy Joel to Mary J. Blige, Cuba’s Omara Portuondo and various symphony orchestras.

But few know about the selfless musical pursuit of this 2023 NEA Jazz Masters honoree, 2006 MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” recipient and Manhattan School of Music faculty member.

When Carter is not touring, recording or teaching, she works as a violin-playing doula with critically ill patients in their final months, weeks and days.

“I love that I get to travel the world playing this music,” said Carter. “But I also use my music not only to play on stage, but to do hospice...