J Charles

Still in his Twenties, J. Charles has had experience musicians twice his age may never know. While still a teenager, the saxophonist found himself whisked away to the world tour circuit as a soloist and, eventually, Musical Director with Grammy-winner and Soul-singing sensation King Solomon Burke. A musical chameleon, Charles found the R&B/Soul genres a veritable musical playground, eventually sharing the stage with such legends as Little Milton, Frankie Lee, the Coasters, the Shirelles, and Kool & the Gang among others. Though this proved lucrative and exciting, especially for one so young, Charles knew his destiny lay with jazz.

Attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, Charles found the perfect place to hone his skills as a jazz axeman. Studying with saxophonists Andy McGhee and Shannon LeClaire, J. Charles began his journey into new territory, constructing his voice, mixing stylistic components of the masters with the technicality and sensibilities of more modern-day musicians. The resulting sound is one that has lent itself to the music of many of today’s greatest jazzers.

Since the commencement of his studies, Charles has shared the stage and/or recorded with such jazz greats as Kei Akagi, Kenny Burrell, Charles Owens, Darek Olezkevitz, Sherman Ferguson, Tom Scott, and Eric Marienthal. In 2002, J. Charles collaborated with world-renowned dance choreographer Donald McKayle and composer Alan Terriciano in the production of Ash, an extremely graphic and emotional tribute to the victims of the terror attack on 9/11. Ash has since won countless awards and remains in production by various dance companies around the world.

In the summer of 2003, J. Charles packed his bags and headed north to Seattle, where he found a music scene as lush as the surrounding landscape and an audience receptive to his innovative style. Since landing in the Emerald City, Charles has had the good fortune to work with local legends Cliff Colon, Sommer Stockinger, Ev Stern, and Clarence “Bash” Robinson among others, and played a stint as lead alto with the critically-acclaimed Emerald City Jazz Orchestra. Though the larger metropolitan areas are where most think jazz is best played and created, J. Charles finds Puget Sound an area thriving on art and culture in every form. “No matter where we go,” proclaims Charles, “jazz will thrive as long as we continue to play it.”