Etienne Charles & Creole Soul

Trinidad-born trumpet star Etienne Charles' performances incorporate songs & rituals of the Caribbean carnival that influenced him to pursue music: danceable, percussive & with captivating melodic lines. He is a Guggenheim Fellow, a 2022 Creative Capital Awardee, & a recipient of a Lincoln Center Millennial Swing Award, a Caribbean Heritage Trailblazer Award & a CMA New Works Grant. Charles has released ten highly acclaimed albums as a leader; his most recent, Creole Orchestra, features vocalist René Marie. He has performed/recorded with luminaries including Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Roberts, Monty Alexander, Maria Schneider, the Count Basie Orchestra & Roberta Flack. He is a dedicated educator & professor at the Frost School of Music. In his compositions, Charles investigates the real-life connections between music and ritual. In a promo video for his San Jose Suite, he explains this naturally inspiring fusion: “We went to not only be with the people, but to partake in their rituals; to learn about why the rituals happen so that we know why things are in the music… Then we can use that music with knowledge & respect to the ritual & the traditions, & make the music lively.” Etienne Charles: Trumpet & Percussion Godwin Louis: Alto Sax Axel Tosca: Piano Alex Wintz: Guitar Alexander Toth: Bass Harvel Nakundi: Drums Sponsored by Beth Raffeld & Philip Khoury, & Dave Ellis & Ann Greenawalt, & Ellis Music. In-person tickets $25-60 sliding scale Livestream donations appreciated! For educational group discounts: eugene@vtjazz.org To facilitate handicap access: elsa@vtjazz.org www.vtjazz.org 802 254 9088 elsavjc@gmail.com eugene@vtjazz.org Vermont Jazz Center 72 Cotton Mill Hill #222 Brattleboro, VT 05301