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Charley Langer
ABOUT CHARLEY LANGER
Since the release in 2010 of his acclaimed debut album, Never the Same, Charley Langer has kept busy, gigging on the Northern California winery circuit with guitarist Kurt Shiflet and performing in the award-winning tribute band, Steelin’ Dan. Never the Same earned the multi-talented saxophonist a sizeable fan base. Its title track received significant airplay on smooth jazz radio and the Weather Channel.
Langer is blazing into 2017 with an exuberantly infectious, playfully grooving new full-length album, Happy Hour. While he refers to the eclectic Never the Same as “an art project with some very hot players,” he has upped his game with radio-ready, urban jazz magic, courtesy of fresh collaboration with guitarist and producer Nils—one of smooth jazz’s top artists and producers.
The 10-track collection showcases the saxman’s powerhouse alto on five tracks penned by Nils and five co-written by Langer and Nils. While some tracks find Nils backing Langer as a one-man studio band (guitar, keys, synth bass, and drum programming), others feature the cream of the crop of L.A.’s contemporary jazz scene, including keyboardists Johnny Britt and Nate Harasim, bassists Darryl Williams and Reggie McBride, drummers Gorden Campbell and Richard Rightman, and percussionist Oliver C. Brown.
Langer credits his wife with the name for the title track, as the couple loves going to happy hour at local restaurants. The music is embued with joy and optimism. “I wanted the album to have an upbeat, uplifting vibe,” says Langer. Songs like “Set Me Free,” “Big Sur,” “J Street Groove,” and “This One’s for the Girls”—which I dedicate to my wife and daughters—reflect the positive energy I envisioned.”
ON STAGE
Langer’s live performances over the years have encompassed many genres, reflecting his unique array of styles. Early in his career, he performed with Southern California area orchestras and with such notables as Morton Gould, John Adams, and Zita Carno. While living in Hawaii, Langer worked as a sideman for local entertainers, including island chart-topper Jon Basebase ("Suddenly"), the Bobby King Royal Combo, and the Willie Barton Orchestra. Today, you are more likely to hear him in a popular music or jazz setting. In addition to his duo winery gigs with Kurt Shiflet, Langer performs with Steelin’ Dan at numerous festivals, clubs, and other venues. He has also opened for guitarist Craig Chaquico and jazz singer/songwriter Spencer Day.
NOTABLE LIVE PERFORMANCES
Benvenuti Performing Arts Center—Sacramento, CA (w/ Spencer Day) Naggiar Vineyards & Winery—Grass Valley, CA Crest Theatre—Sacramento, CA Sacramento Jazz Festival—Sacramento, CA Sacramento Convention Center—Sacramento, CA (Best of Sacramento Awards) Art & Wine Affaire—El Dorado Hills, CA Young’s Vineyard—Plymouth, CA (opening for Craig Chaquico) Harrah's Reno—Reno, NV David Girard Vineyards—Placerville, CA Crystal Bay Casino—Crystal Bay, NV Grass Valley Center for the Arts—Grass Valley, CA Harrah's Tahoe—Lake Tahoe, CA Spotlight 29 Casino—Palm Springs, CA Harlow's Restaurant & Nightclub—Sacramento, CA Sweetwater Music Hall—Mill Valley, CA Colusa Casino Resort—Colusa, CA
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Take Five With Charley Langer
by AAJ Staff
Meet Charley Langer:Intelligent smooth jazz. Think Phil Woods meets Boney James." So far, the reviews are very positive:
Charley Langer doesn't waste these tracks. If you take the time to listen, each one reveals a different side of his musical personality... What we see here is a jazz musician as jack of all trades, and a darn good one, to boot."--Dan MacIntosh, Indie-Music.com; critic for CMJ, Paste, and Spin.
A classically-trained saxophonist, Charley developed his technique under such ...
read more“Charley Langer wears melodies like second skins