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A Special 25th Anniversary Double-Bill Joey DeFrancesco Trio + Etienne Charles Creole SoulWhat’s a 25th Anniversary Celebration without having two exceptional bands share a bill that’s NOT happening anywhere else in the world! This should be one heck of an event — so much so that we’re starting an hour earlier. 
Photo Credit Michael Woodall As for Joey DeFrancesco who, programmatically follows Charles, it’s difficult to digest how much he’s accomplished, given he’s still on the young side of 50. One of the world’s finest organ players for some time now, the native Philadelphian and son of organist “Papa” Joe DeFrancesco, played with Miles Davis as a teenager. Three decades later, Van Morrison chose to have him share the bill on Your Driving Me Crazy (Sony), the release followed by a tour. As for this Jazz Series appearance – DeFrancesco’s fourth – he arrives with saxophonist Troy Roberts and drummer Michael Ode, both who frequently work with him and appear throughout the organist’s most recent and adventurous release, In The Key Of The Universe (Mack Avenue), which also features saxophonist Pharoah Sanders. 
Photo Credit Laura Ferreira Born in Trinidad, Etienne Charles moved to Florida, graduating from Florida State’s jazz program. Then it was on to New York, and graduating from Julliard before moving to East Lansing to teach trumpet at Michigan State University. Charles has released a number of recordings on his own label; currently, among his many varied projects is serving as a member of the SFJAZZ Collective. The energetic, cross-cultural trumpeter/ percussionist returns to the Jazz Series to open tonight’s proceedings with his band, Creole Soul. “Jazz is Creole music,” Charles has said, happily admitting he’s been influenced by all kinds of music. “My family has a mixed background, with French Caribbean, Spanish and African roots as well as Venezuelan influences. I come from a fusion of rhythms, a fusion of cultures.” No doubt they will fill the air this evening. Audio and Video→ Etienne Charles - Caravan |
Joey DeFrancesco Trio
Joey DeFrancesco: Organ " He has dominated the instrument and the field as no one of his generation has.” - Chicago Tribune “Mr. DeFrancesco is a deeply authoritative musician, a master of rhythmic pocket, and of the custom of stomping bass lines beneath chords and riffs.” - New York Times Etienne Charles Creole Soul
Etienne Charles: Trumpet / Percussion “A daring improviser, Etienne Charles also delivers with heart-wrenching lyricism” - Jazz Times “…had strength and a clear, almost classical sense of thematic organization.” - The New York Times |
