Etienne Charles: Traces

A quartet unique in its instrumentation (cello, cuatro, bass and trumpet), Traces tells the story of the migrations between the Caribbean and South America and the musical connections that were formed. The band members bring with them backgrounds in the musical cultures of France, Venezuela, Israel, and Trinidad, and the compositions take inspiration ranging from Antillean Waltz (Trinidad) to Choro (Brazil), Belair (Martinique), Gwoka (Guadeloupe), Aleke (French Guiana), and Joropo (Venezuela) – musical styles and instrumentation that are under-represented in jazz. Traces brings these eclectic genres together, with a unique group of musicians, to engage audiences with new music based on styles with which they may not have previously been familiar. This music celebrates some of the great creole cultures of the Americas.

Trumpeter Etienne Charles is a storyteller with sounds. His innate ability to compose and perform new original material places him in a unique standing among his peers. This group features his chamber writing as well as his playing.

Vincent Segal, in addition to being a world class cellist also possesses a mastery of French Caribbean rhythms.

Jorge Glem is celebrated globally for his mesmerizing Cuatro playing. Originally from Cumana, Venezuela, he has mastered many complex Afro-Venezuelan rhythms that are used in this project.

Bassist Or Bareket, originally from Israel is well versed in numerous rhythmic styles in addition to being in high demand in traditional jazz performance settings in the US. He has an innate ability to find the layout of root grooves and exploit them for ostinato and counterpoint.

Traces by Etienne Charles was made possible by a French American Jazz Exchange grant.

Carnival: The Sound of a People

During Carnival, the island of Trinidad becomes engulfed in a cacophony of sounds — from singing minstrels, to the clash of stick fights, and lively calypso music with its hallmark steel pan cadences. As a Trinidadian raised in a musical family, trumpeter Etienne Charles feels a deep connection to the Carnival traditions. At a young age he joined his father’s steel band, performing at Carnival fetes, and immersing himself in the folklore. Through Etienne’s Guggenheim Fellowship Award, he returns to his roots to celebrate the traditions that best exemplify Trinidadian culture. Inspired by the noises heard throughout the festivities, Etienne’s Carnival: The Sound of a People brings the celebrations to the stage.

Etienne Charles Creole Christmas

Watch the full Creole Christmas Concert at Dizzy’s

Jazz trumpeter Etienne Charles adds a new twist to the holidays with music from his dynamic Creole Christmas album. Featuring classic selections from the Caribbean, American, and European holiday songbooks, Charles and his ensemble celebrate the Christmas season with unique interpretations of pieces from Charles’ diverse musical roots. Charles shines a new light on tunes such as Mighty Spoiler’s hilarious classic “Father Christmas,” “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” “Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and “Chocolate,” Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas,” and two Lionel Belasco waltzes: “Juliana” and “Roses of Caracas Waltz.”

Etienne Charles: San Jose Suite

The San Jose Suite, a new work and album by trumpeter Etienne Charles has been made possible with support from Chamber Music America’s 2014 New Jazz Works grant funded through the generosity of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Through composition and improvisation, Charles explores the stories, rituals, native chants, rhythms, and other cultural elements that have shaped three cities of the same name: San Jose. Each movement consists of smaller segments introducing the cultural and historical milestones of these cities. The story of the first Spanish capital of the island of Trinidad, San Jose de Oruna, is traced from its founding through foreign invasions, slave rebellions, and the construction of the island’s first railroad. Charles pays homage to the Ohlone natives of San José de Guadalupe, revisits the devastating 1906 earthquake, and explores the rapid development to the vast tech industry in nearby Silicon Valley. The movement dedicated to Costa Rica’s San José portrays the Boruca and Cabécar tribes, the Fiesta del Diablos (a re-enactment of the Spanish invasion), Gallo Pinto, and the Concept of Pura Vida.

Etienne Charles: Creole Soul

Hailed by The New York Times as “an auteur” and by JazzTimes as “A daring improviser who delivers with heart wrenching lyricism,” NPR’s All Things Considered calls Etienne, “a great young trumpeter…his records filter calypso, reggae and other Afro-Caribbean musics into a modern jazz conception.” Critics and audiences alike continue to praise the Trinidadian’s exciting performances, thrilling compositions, and his charismatic onstage presence. Etienne is a Guggenheim Fellow in the Creative Arts, Associate Professor of Jazz Trumpet and Teacher Scholar at Michigan State University, and has been written in to US Congressional Record for his musical contributions to Trinidad & Tobago and the World.