Malin Carta Quartet

Malin Carta is a saxophonist, woodwind doubler, vocalist, educator, and composer based in CT.

A recent graduate of Western Connecticut State University (Magna *** Laude, GPA 3.8), Malin holds her Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance where she studied under the direction of Grammy-nominated saxophonist Jimmy Greene. She is also a graduate of Glastonbury High School’s award-winning music program where she grew up.

Malin is a member of the CT-based alternative band Lavender Social Club and regularly performs with big bands as well as her own self-lead groups. Big bands that Carta has played with include Sean Nelson’s New London Big Band, the Hartford Jazz Orchestra, the Elm City Big Band, and the Berkshire Jazz Orchestra. During her four years at WestConn, she played lead alto saxophone in the WCSU’s Jazz Orchestra and Frankensax, lead by Jimmy Greene, Jamie Begian, and Andrew Beals; first chair in the Wind Ensemble, lead by Dr. Luis Fernando Jiménez; and soprano saxophone in her Saxophone Quartet, lead by Dave Noland. She has over a decade of experience playing in small groups, starting with her time at Litchfield Jazz Camp with combo instructors Kris Allen and Mike DiRubbo and all throughout her undergraduate program with musicians Chris Morrison, Lee Metcalf, Jeff “Siege” Siegel, Dave Ruffels, and Jimmy Greene. While playing in these groups she has had the opportunity to share the stage with masters such as Sean Jones, Josh Evans, Ron Carter, and Geoffrey Keezer. Malin has also collaborated with Hartford-based bassist Nat Reeves; she was a part of the group he put together for First Night Hartford’s Hartford Bonanza in July 2022 and various groups since.

Malin is making her way as a solo artist on voice, piano, and woodwinds, writing her own unique music and taking inspiration from both her background in jazz studies and in legendary song-writers Carole King and Stevie Wonder. In July of 2022, she opened for vocalist and singer/songwriter Sasha Dobson at Cafe Nine, playing a set of original music. She performed an entire set of her original music with her group at The Buttonwood Tree in Middletown, CT in July 2023.

Being an accomplished woodwind performer, studying both classical and jazz repertoire, and performing in both small and large ensembles makes Malin an extremely versatile musician with knowledge and experience in many different areas. Malin values a curiosity for learning, compassion, empathy, and stepping outside of one's comfort zone to grow.