by Jason Henry
There’s the jazz school of thought that pushes the “it’s the notes left out” agenda to explain the quirk and eccentricity of jazz genius, and then there’s the other camp that recognizes the genius of the notes played. For virtuoso Etienne Charles, it’s that second group that benefits from the intricate stories and sounds told via his lush trumpet tone, varied compositional textures and pulsating percussive grooves.
Quips aside, the Trinidad-born trumpeter, percussionist and composer is renowned for his ability to weave captivating narratives through music. A 2015 Guggenheim Fellow and 2022 Creative Capital Awardee, Charles delves deep into cultural exploration, immersing himself in the traditions of diverse regions to inform his compositions. His work, including acclaimed projects like 2019’s Carnival: The Sound of a People Vol. 1 and 2013’s Creole Soul, serve as a bridge between Afro-descendant communities, shedding light on marginalized voices and historical legacies.
His latest work, 2023’s Traces, features Vincent Segal on cello and percussion, Jorge Glem on cuatro — the four-string Venezuelan guitar — and Or Baraket on bass. The album blends Charles’ inspiration from the magnificent brass bands of yore, vintage calypso, and soca, the 1970s Trinidadian and Tobagonian hybrid of African and East Indian rhythms. The album illuminates the unique migrations of Afro-descendants and Sephardic Jews through South America and the Caribbean.
With his ongoing Creole Soul project, Charles is taking a deep dive into the interconnectivity of pan-Caribbean musical forms. This work is the basis of an album due this summer, Creole Orchestra, featuring vocalist René Marie. It stems from Charles’ explorations of his great-grandfather’s homeland of Martinique and pays homage to the legendary French Guiana-born composer Henri Salvador — credited by the great Antônio Carlos Jobim as the influence for bossa nova.
Beyond the stage, Charles is a committed educator, lecturing and performing at institutions worldwide. He also spearheads Carnival bands in Trinidad, preserving cultural traditions and bringing joy to communities. An Associate Professor at the University of Miami, he continues to inspire the next generation of musicians while championing the universal language of music.
Etienne Charles and His Septet present Creole Soul, 7pm Friday, June 21 at the Miami Beach Bandshell. etiennecharles.com ~ Abel Folgar
