Trinidad born Etienne Charles is a performer, composer and storyteller, who is continuously searching for untold stories and sounds with which to tell them.
His lush trumpet sound, varied compositional textures and pulsating percussive grooves enable him to invoke trance, soothing and exciting listeners while referencing touchy and sometimes controversial subjects in his music.
Defined by a riveting array of Caribbean rhythms, Etienne Charles’s first album featuring his big band arrangements is a personal triumph, but Creole Orchestra is also part of a much larger story. Drawing on material from several different commissions and projects, the album encompasses the key players from Charles’s band Creole Soul.
Personnel
Special Guests – René Marie (vocals), Brandon Rose (vocals), DJ Logic (turntables)
Woodwinds – Michael Thomas (lead alto & soprano), Godwin Louis (lead alto & soprano), Brian Hogans (alto sax), John Ellis (tenor sax & bass clarinet)), Seth Ebersole (tenor sax & clarinet). Paul Nedzela (baritone sax & bass clarinet), Gina Izzo – flute (Douens, Holy City & Colorado River Song)
Trumpets – Etienne Charles, Jumaane Smith (lead), Walter Cano, Anthony Stanco, Giveton Gelin (Old School)
Trombones – Dion Tucker, Michael Dease, Corey Wilcox, Chris Glassman (bass tbn)
Rhythm Section – Sullivan Fortner (piano/fender rhodes), Alex Wintz (guitar), Ben Williams (bass ), Jonathan Michel (bass) , Obed Calvaire (drums), Etienne Charles (percussion), Jorge Glem (cuatro), Pascual Landeau (marac)
