In December 2001 , she played a concert in Genoa using '' Il Cannone Guarnerius '' , a violin that was made in 1743 and was once owned and favoured by Niccolò Paganini . The violin was bequeathed to Genoa after Paganini 's death in 1840 . The name of instrument is given because an " explosive " sound can be achieved . Carter was invited to play after the incidents of the September 11 attacks as a gesture of solidarity . She was both the first jazz musician and African American to play the instrument . She later recorded '' Paganini : After a Dream '' for Verve Records . The album featured classical works by Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy , and '' Cinema Paradiso '' by Ennio Morricone
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Regina Carter