Charles Evans

Charles Evans decided to become a baritone saxophone specialist at the age of seventeen, after playing alto saxophone for five years. After attending the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts in 1997, he set out to develop a personal saxophone sound and become a great baritone saxophonist.

Charles received a bachelors degree in jazz performance from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. During these years he studied with the likes of Bill Zaccagni, Chris Farr, John Swana, Jim Buckley, and the great David Liebman. His experience with Liebman proved life-changing, instilling an artistic mindset in the young baritone saxophonist and inspiring him to pursue music to his fullest potential.

While in Philadelphia, Charles payed his dues at local jam sessions and also began working around town in various configurations. In 2002 he decided to move to New York. He received a Master’s degree from Queens College in 2004 after studying with well-known musicians Antonio Hart and Mike Mossman. He is currently working on a second Master’s degree in Music Education.

Charles resides in Queens New York, where he leads his own group, The Language Of. He also works around the New York area in various other settings, such as the baritone chair in the Brooklyn Big Band and Christian Pincock’s duo, The Derividactory. As a leader Charles has released two CD’s, one a collection of Ballads, and the other with his quartet the Language Of. This quartet’s first release is entitled “It Needs It” and they are currently producing a second CD named “No Relation.”

The Language Of is a jazz ensemble lead by baritone saxophonist Charles Evans. For the past two years, the quartet has performed in the New York area in pursuit of a unique band sound while drawing inspiration from the entire evolution of jazz and improvised music. Other members of this exciting group include Peter Evans (trumpet), Moppa Elliott (bass), and Jan Roth (drums).

The music of the Language Of alternates between microtonal contrafacts and free-jazz compositions. Both horn players are intensely interested in the technical possibilities of their respective instruments, producing compositions and improvisations that require virtuostic execution. Solos often combine elements of the bebop tradition and extended instrumental techniques nearly spontaneously. These adventures are accompanied by a swinging but highly interactive rhythm section. The Language Of has released its first CD, "It Needs It," and is producing its second recording, which will be titled "No Relation."

Tags