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Acclaimed jazz musician Etienne Charles celebrated his 38th birthday final Saturday with a concert at the Aspen Artwork Museum’s jascafé, Aspen, Colorado, under the auspices of Jazz Aspen Snowmass Company (JAS).
The exhibit was streamed stay on Facebook, starting with welcome remarks by president and CEO of JAS, Jim Horowitz, who mentioned the birthday concert was the initially stay function for the year.
“The concert we experienced in June experienced 90 for every cent vaccinated of the 100 guests, and we catered for 80 for each cent, and this evening we have 150 guests, so we are grateful,” he mentioned.
Horowitz acknowledged those people who manufactured this present and demonstrates in general possible. He highlighted the entire JAS National Council membership, and other pals, including Stevie Gilman, Donna Di Lanni and Shelton Berg. He mentioned Charles was a JAS student and younger musician who became a single of their tutors.
He stated he was honoured to have Charles celebrate his birthday and perform at the venue.
Written into the US Congressional Document for his musical contributions to T&T and the planet more than, Charles, dressed in neon leaf-green, double-breasted jacket, jazzy undershirt, black trousers and zebra-striped loafers, was introduced by Horowitz.
Etienne Charles
He wasted no time on stage and throughout the present performed the trumpet, the congas sang, whistled, sparred with fellow musicians, and even demonstrated some dance moves.
Charles introduced the members of his band, including Godwin Louis of Connecticut on alto saxophone Alex Wint, New Jersey, guitar Barry Stephens, Florida, bass Kareem Thompson, California, steelpan and the lone female who kept the rhythm flowing, Jamaican Savannah Harris, who is based mostly in California, on drums.
Also on phase were his cousins, Keith who assisted on percussions, and Richard, with the Trini dance moves.
The birthday concert opened with two of Charles’ original compositions, Dame Lorraine and Moko Jumbies, from his album Carnival, followed by a Duke Ellington’s Caravan written by Juan Tizol. Also on the playbill have been Henry Mancini’s Lujon from the motion picture Mr Fortunate Goes Latin, and Bob Marley’s Switch the Lights Down Lower, which he dedicated to all the lovers and to his parents who ended up in the virtual audience.
Charles, an Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the Frost Faculty of Music, manufactured regarded that his parents are genuine fans who will be celebrating their 44th wedding anniversary in September.
He urged the audience to give a significant shout out to them: “Hello mother! Hello father,” and expressed pleasure in the benefits the digital realm has revealed the earth.
“We create bigger audiences,” he reported.
Recognised for infusing rhythms of the French, English, Spanish and Dutch-speaking Caribbean in his repertoires, Charles ended the clearly show on a fiery up-tempo calypso rendition, where by each and every musician showed their musical prowess.As he acknowledged the standing ovation, Charles noted that the audience was clapping but not dancing.
Drummer Savannah Harris in motion.
“I notice we played calypso. You all stood up but didn’t dance, so I’m going to teach you how it is accomplished. I’ll educate you four basic methods,” he said.
Charles then gave an impromptu demonstration of how to chip, wine, jook, and leap like a Trini and assured the Jazz Aspen group that they were all set for the upcoming Trinidad carnival.
He thanked all who designed the concert a success.
Charles is expected to start off teaching at the Henry Mancini Institute in Miami later this calendar year.
Alto saxophonist, Godwin Louis, left, spars with Etienne Charles.