Etienne Charles: Creole Soul

Saturday, April 5, 8 p.m.

Frederick C. Tillis Performance Hall
Reserved $40, $30
Youth 17 and under and Five College students $15

Trinidad-born Etienne Charles is a performer, composer, and storyteller who is continuously searching for untold stories and sounds with which to tell them. Charles’ compositions evoke musical traditions from the Caribbean and across the African diaspora while remaining firmly rooted in jazz. His lush trumpet sound, varied compositional textures, and pulsating percussive grooves enable Charles to soothe and excite listeners while referencing touchy and sometimes controversial subjects.

Charles has earned critical acclaim with his exciting performances, thrilling compositions and knack for connecting with audiences worldwide. JazzTimes calls Charles a "daring improviser who delivers with heart wrenching lyricism." DownBeat magazine says, "Charles delivers his ebullient improvisations with the elegance of a world-class ballet dancer."

Charles is a jazz educator as well as a composer, musician, and bandleader. He holds the position of assistant professor of jazz trumpet at Michigan State University. He will spend the day working with students participating in the UMass Department of Music and Dance’s annual High School Jazz Festival before taking the stage with his band for our public performance.

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