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Charles Fambrough

In his 35 year career, legendary Philadelphia bassist Fambrough has played with McCoy Tyner, Grover Washington, Jr., Art Blakey, Flora Purim Airto, and many others. A prolific composer whose works have been recorded by giants such as Stanley Turentine, Roy Hargrove and The Jazz Messengers. Fambrough's love for contemporary African-American, Latin and Brazilian music has been evident since his first recording as a leader entitled: The Proper Angle. One of Charles Fambrough's stated goals is "Not to mix my concept of music with a monetary attitude... My view of music is toward people like 'Trane and Miles that I aspire to." He is a consummate musician who refuses to confine his creativity to the jazz mainstream. The result is a highly personal style which seldom fails to draw raves from audience and critics alike.


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From Far and Wide

Charles Fambrough: A Friend Unlike Any Other, R.I.P.

Read "Charles Fambrough: A Friend Unlike Any Other, R.I.P." reviewed by Mark Kramer


For my dear friend Charles, my second Brother: Bassist Charles Fambrough, born in Philadelphia on August 25th, 1950 and known as “Broski," died on January 1st, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. with his daughter and wife at his side. Reportedly, he ever-so-gently squeezed their hands as he held them, and smiled. Then he was gone. When All About Jazz Publisher Michael Ricci asked me whether anybody was writing a tribute piece for Charles, a robust, world-acclaimed bassist, ...

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Interview

Charles Fambrough: City Tribes

Read "Charles Fambrough: City Tribes" reviewed by AAJ Staff


[ed. note: We're celebrating the life and music of bassist Charles Fambrough who passed away on January 1, 2011. This interview with Kimberly Barry was conducted in April 1996.] In his thirty-year career, bassist, bandleader and composer Charles Fambrough has played with McCoy Tyner, Grover Washington, Jr., Art Blakey, Flora Purim and Airto, the Fort Apache Band, and Egberto Gismonti, among others. He is a prolific composer whose songs have been recorded by the Jazz ...

169
Live Review

Charles Fambrough at the Michener Museum

Read "Charles Fambrough at the Michener Museum" reviewed by Edward Zucker


Charles Fambrough Michener Museum Doylestown, PA April 29, 2006

The Michener Museum in Doylestown celebrated the 10th anniversary of its ongoing jazz series with a performance by bassist Charles Fambrough and his quartet on April 29, 2006.

Fambrough, best known for his work with Art Blakey and McCoy Tyner, was joined by saxophonist Joe Ford, guitarist Tom Kozic, and drummer Gary Rissmiller. The first set provided some spirited music and interesting comments ...

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Album Review

Charles Fambrough: Live @ Zanzibar Blue

Read "Live @ Zanzibar Blue" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


Great Venue, Great Jazz

First, a few words about the venue... Zanzibar Blue is located in the Bellevue at the corner of Broad and Walnut Streets in Center City Philadelphia. It is one of the three or four really great jazz clubs in a city full of great jazz haunts. The Blue is a dark and elegant room with superb acoustics and a grade A bar and kitchen. No Chicken Shack is the Zanzibar Blue. The Blue headlines the top ...

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Album Review

Charles Fambrough: Upright Citizen

Read "Upright Citizen" reviewed by AAJ Staff


This album has got to be the find of the year by my good friend and fellow soul mate MaryJo Rathbun who is the Traffic Manager at the leading Smooth Jazz station in Providence, USA, namely WKCD 107.7 FM. This is one of the stunning albums which appear out of thin air every once and a while à la Urban Knights or Daniel Ho and Kileaue's ' Tropical Pleasures ' sets.

The list of stars is impressive for an artists ...

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Social Gathering

Thoughts on Charles Fambrough's Funeral

Thoughts on Charles Fambrough's Funeral

Source: Suzanne Cloud

The secret is out now. Like St. Peter's in New York City, the Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion at 2110 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia is fast becoming this city's “jazz church" with a potent jazz ministry. Drummer Ed Dennis, who runs jazz vespers there, and pastors Reverends Kari Hart and Stephen Kaiser know how to throw a great send off—this time for the late bassist Charles Fambrough. Yesterday's funeral service was a picture-perfect celebration of the man as a ...

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Obituary

Bassist Charles Fambrough -- Rest in Peace

Bassist Charles Fambrough -- Rest in Peace

Source: JazzStage.net


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Obituary

Charles Fambrough - R.I.P.

Charles Fambrough - R.I.P.

Source: Sound Insights by Doug Payne

After a long bout battling liver disease and many years of suffering, the great jazz bassist Charles Fambrough passed away on Saturday, January 1, 2011. Fambrough had apparently been awaiting a transplant match. Several musical tributes were held in Philadelphia over the last several years to help Fambrough and his family pay the bassist's outrageous medical expenses. Philadelphia resident Charles Fambrough was born on August 25, 1950. Fambrough studied classical piano throughout his elementary and high-school years. He gravitated to ...

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Event

All-Star Jazz Tribute and Benefit for Bassist Charles Fambrough

All-Star Jazz Tribute and Benefit for Bassist Charles Fambrough

Source: Michael Ricci

It is well known in the Philadelphia jazz community that bassist Charles Fambrough has been bravely battling some life threatening health problems. Although he has insurance, the co-pays and limitations that his insurance company have placed on his treatment options has forced his family to pay outrageous sums of money to help him. Like many American families, legendary bassist Charles Fambrough is suffering from our broken health care system. He needs our help.

On Thursday March 11th, at Chris' Jazz ...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Blues At Bradley's

P.S.F. Records
2006

buy

Live @ Zanzibar Blue

Random Chance Records
2002

buy

Upright Citizen

Nu Groove Records
1997

buy

Keeper Of The Spirit

P.S.F. Records
1995

buy

Blues At Bradley's

P.S.F. Records
1993

buy

The Charmer

P.S.F. Records
1992

buy

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