DizzyGillespie, when asked in a Downbeat magazine interview with Herb Nolan, “whattrumpet players do you hear today whom you like”, Dizzy’s reply, “CharlesTolliver – I like him”. Charles Tolliver, entirely self-taught, is a remarkabletalent who has gained an outstanding reputation as a trumpetist, bandleader,composer, arranger, and educator. Born in Jacksonville, Florida in 1942, hismusical career began at the age of 8 when his beloved grandmother, Lela,presented him with his first instrument, a cornet, and the inspiration tolearn.

Aftera few years of college majoring in pharmacy at Howard University, andformulating his trumpet style, Charles began his professional career with thesaxophone giant Jackie Mclean. Making his recording debut with McLean on BlueNote Records in 1964, Charles has since recorded and/or performed with suchrenowned artists as Roy Haynes, Hank Mobley, Willie Bobo, Horace Silver, McCoyTyner, Sonny Rollins, Booker Ervin, Gary Bartz, Herbie Hancock, The GeraldWilson Orchestra, Oliver Nelson,

AndrewHill, Louis Hayes, Roy Ayers, Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, and MaxRoach.

CharlesTolliver has been a recipient of the Downbeat Critic’s Choice for the Trumpetcategory. In 1969 he formed the quartet Music Inc which has becomeinternationally respected for its innovative trumpet quartet approach. Charlesand his Music Inc, has toured in North and South America, Europe, Scandinavia,and Japan performing at festivals, concerts, radio and television stations. In1970 he and his alter ego fellow musician artist Stanley Cowell createdStrata-East Records which he has steadfastly kept alive straight into thepresent. During the ’80s and ’90s he continued touring with his small group,MUSIC INC, and on a number of occasions performed his large ensemblecompositions and arrangements as soloist with practically every EuropeanRadio/TV Jazz orchestra. Having already issued on his Strata-East label twocritically acclaimed big band

LPs,“Music Inc & Big Band” and “Impact”, now in the new millennium he onceagain returned to the big band format. In 2007 he issued on Blue Note Recordshis big band recording entitled, “With Love” which was immediately GrammyNominated. The Jazz Journalists Association presented him with the “Best LargeEnsemble of the Year 2007” award for his new tour de force group The CharlesTolliver Big Band. In an historic reenactment & presentation at Town Hallin 2009 for the 50th anniversary celebration of Thelonious Monk’s historic 1959Town Hall concert, he was featured performing his definitive transcription ofthe lost scores of arranger Hal Overton’s orchestrations of Thelonious’ musicexactly as it was performed & recorded for the original concert. His newestbig band CD “Emperor March” recorded live at the Blue Note New York City wasreleased in March 2009.

Charleshas perfected an extremely individual and distinctive sound which clearly setshim apart from other trumpet players. Characterized by a strong sense oftradition, he said in a recent Downbeat magazine interview about his approachto improvising that, “I like to rumble. I take the most difficult routes forimprovisation. It’s easy to play a number of choruses effortlessly and nevermake a mistake, never break down. That’s no fun. You need to get in hot waterby trying something out right from the jump, get yourself out of that, and moveon to the next chorus.”

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