His early work included stints with Chico Hamilton, Eric Dolphy and Jaki Byard. Carter's main contribution came during his years with Miles Davis. Together with Herbie Hancock and Tony Williams, he was a vital part of a rhythm section that propelled Davis' most adventuresome group. Carter's rhythmic precision provided a center for the exuberant flamboyance of the Davis' creativity, while his crisp, clear lines brought subtlety and nuance to the more spiritual aspects of the music.

Over the past three decades, he has recorded with many of the greatest names in music: Oliver Nelson, Tommy Flanagan, Gil Scott-Heron, Gil Evans, Lena Horne, James Brown, Coleman Hawkins, Bill Evans, Carlos Santana, Aretha Franklin, Sonny Rollins, Paul Simon, Janis Ian, Bette Midler, Benny Goodman, George Benson, B.B. King, Eric Gale, Johnny Hodges, Antonio Carlos Jobim, The Kronos Quartet, Dexter Gordon, and Helen Merrill.

While continuing to complement a score of other bands as stellar accompanist, Carter is also a leader. He's put together any number of groups, ranging from small ensembles to a nonet.

His many awards include citations by the Japan All-Star Jazz Poll and the Swing Journal Readers Poll. He was voted Outstanding Bassist of the Decade by the Detroit News and Jazz Bassist of the year by 'Downbeat' magazine. Ron was also named "Most Valuable Player, Acoustic Bass," by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Mr. Carter earned a bachelor of music degree from the Eastman School of Music and a master's degree in double bass from the Manhattan School of Music, where he later returned to teach. He has lectured, conducted, and performed at clinics, instructed Jazz ensembles, and has taught the business of music at Wisconsin, Connecticut, Indiana, North Carolina, Rutgers, and Howard universities, among others, as well as the Harlem School for the Arts. He is currently Professor of Music at the City College of New York.