Etienne Charles

Thomas A. Laskin Virtual Master Class

Etienne Charles

May 5 at 6:30 PM | Free & open to the public

Join us in welcoming the Assistant Professor of Jazz Trumpet at Michigan State University, Etienne Charles, as the next virtual guest of the Thomas A. Laskin Jazz Master Class series on Wednesday, May 5 at 6:30 pm!

He has been hailed by New York Times as “an auteur” and by Jazz Times as “a daring improviser who delivers with heart wrenching lyricism.” According to Downbeat Magazine “Charles delivers his ebullient improvisations with the elegance of a world-class ballet dancer.”

He has performed and or recorded with Monty Alexander, Roberta Flack, Frank Foster, Ralph MacDonald, Johnny Mandel, Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Roberts, Maria Schneider, Count Basie Orchestra, Eric Reed, Lord Blakie, David Rudder and many others. He holds a Master’s degree from the Juilliard School and a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University.

 

 


Etienne Charles

Meet Etienne Charles

In June 2012, Etienne was written into the US Congressional Record for his musical contributions to Trinidad & Tobago and the World. 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 New Orleans 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’.

 

Watch Etienne Charles’ live performance of Duke Ellington’s “Caravan”


The Thomas A. Laskin Memorial

Jazz Master Class Series

The Thomas A. Laskin Memorial Master Class Series provides insights on this uniquely American form with some of the best musicians in the country. Past guests include Grammy-winners Eddie Gomez and Brian Lynch, plus dozens of industry pros.