Etienne Charles

Personnel:
Etienne Charles - Trumpet
Godwin Louis - Saxophone
Brandon Rose - Bass
Harvel Nakundi - Drums

Hailed by The New York Times as "an auteur" (Ben Ratliff) and by Jazz Times as "A daring improviser who delivers with heart wrenching lyricism" (Bill Milkowski), Etienne Charles has received critical acclaim for his exciting performances, thrilling compositions and knack for connecting with audiences worldwide. Perhaps more than any other musician of his generation or Eastern Caribbean origin, Etienne brings a careful study of myriad rhythms from the French, Spanish, English and Dutch speaking Caribbean to the table. Crucially, as a soloist, he fully understands the Caribbean trumpet tradition; which is readily discernible in his trademark instrumental swagger, and what famed Crescent City Pianist, Jelly Roll Morton so succinctly captured in the now immortal phrase, 'The Spanish Tinge'. In 2015 he was named as one of the highly prestigious John Simon Guggenheim Fellows. In June 2012, Etienne was written into the US Congressional Record for his musical contributions to Trinidad & Tobago and the World.