CHARLES TOLLIVER

Dizzy Gillespie, when asked in a Downbeat magazine interview with Herb Nolan, "what trumpet players do you hear today whom you like", Dizzy's reply, "Charles Tolliver - I like him". Charles Tolliver, entirely self-taught, is a remarkable talent who has gained an outstanding reputation as a trumpetist, bandleader, composer, arranger, and educator. Born in Jacksonville, Florida in 1942, his musical career began at the age of 8 when his beloved grandmother, Lela, presented him with his first instrument, a cornet, and the inspiration to learn. After a few years of college majoring in pharmacy at Howard University, and formulating his trumpet style, Charles began his professional career with the saxophone giant Jackie Mclean. Making his recording debut with McLean on Blue Note Records in 1964, Charles has since recorded and/or performed with such renowned artists as Roy Haynes, Hank Mobley, Willie Bobo, Horace Silver, McCoy Tyner, Sonny Rollins, Booker Ervin, The Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Oliver Nelson, Andrew Hill, Louis Hayes, Roy Ayers, Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, and Max Roach. In 1968 Charles Tolliver was voted as the Downbeat Critic's Choice for the Trumpet category. In 1969 he formed the quartet Music Inc which has become internationally respected for its innovative approach. Charles and his Music Inc, has toured in North and South America, Europe, Scandinavia, and Japan performing at festivals, concerts, radio and television stations. Charles Tolliver is a brilliant player, capable of handling any tempo or mood. He has perfected an extremely individual and distinctive sound which clearly sets him apart from other trumpet players today. Characterized by a strong sense of tradition, Charles's playing is noted for its brilliance, inventiveness, melodic warmth and even its poignancy. His compositions are inventive, and display masterful writing ability. It is no small wonder that Charles Tolliver has earned the reputation as one of "the" preeminent trumpeters in jazz. M.J.J

What have the critics said?

"Tolliver's horn style is possessed of a melodic warmth and compactness of expression shared by few other trumpeters"  
Ray Townley/DOWNBEAT

"...At Ronnie Scott's, in London, last week I heard a trumpet player who played melodic, lyrical music that filled the heart with joy rather than angst and anger."  
Karl Dallas/MELODY MAKER

"...While having a rich, full sound, Music Inc. Provides a great deal of both energy and contrast and avoids the loud, stupid excesses of some current groups..."   
CODA/Canada's Jazz Magazine

"it's been said that trumpeter Charles Tolliver was singular among young jazz musicians in his determination to keep his art free of the anarchy associated with a lot of the early so-called free jazz. Certainly he's unique among new trumpeters in this regard."  
Hollie West/THE WASHINGTON POST

"of all the trumpeters to come to prominence in the 60's. Charles Tolliver was perhaps the most sensitive to the necessity of swinging.."  
Ira Gitler/THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF JAZZ IN THE 70s

Discography

Jackie Mclean
 "IT'S TIME," Blue Note (LP# 4179) (CD# 58286)
 "ACTION," Blue Note (LP# 4218) (CD# 96499)
 "JACKNIFE," Blue Note (LP# LA457-H2) (CD# 40535)

Booker Ervin
 "STRUCTURALLY SOUND," Pacific Jazz(LP# 20119) Blue Note(CD# 27545)

Gerald Wilson Orchestra
 "LIVE AND SWINGING, " Pacific Jazz(LP# 20118) Mosaic(CD# MD5-198)

Roy Ayers
 " VIRGO VIBES, " Atlantic(LP# 1488) (CD# 81277 3585) Collectibles(CD# COL-CD-6273)
 "STONED SOUL PICNIC, " Atlantic(LP# 1514) (CD# 81277 3588)
 "RED, BLACK, & GREEN," Polydor(LP# 5045)

Gary Bartz
 "ANOTHER EARTH, " Milestones(LP# 9018)

Horace Silver
 "SERENADE TO A SOUL SISTER, " Blue Note(LP# 84277) (CD# 84277)

Max Roach
 "MEMBERS DON'T GIT WEARY, " Atlantic(LP# 1510) Koch(CD# KOC CD 8514)

McCoy Tyner
 "SONG FOR MY LADY, " Milestones(LP# 9044) (CD# OJCCD-313-2)

Doug Carn
 "SPIRIT OF THE NEW LAND, " Black Jazz(LP# OD18) (CD# BJ/8)

Oliver Nelson
 "SWISS SUITE, " Flying Dutchman(LP# FD10149) (CD# RCA/VICTOR/BMG 74321851582)

Andrew Hill
 "ONE FOR ONE, " Blue Note(LP# LA459-H2) Mosaic Select (CD# MS-016)
 "DANCE WITH DEATH, " Blue Note(LP# LT1030) (CD# 73160)
 "TIME LINES, " Blue Note(CD# 35170)

Charles Tolliver
 "CHARLES TOLLIVER - RIGHT NOW ... and THEN" (Strata-East CD19681)
 "CHARLES TOLLIVER/BIG BAND/EMPEROR MARCH" (Half Note CD# 4539
 "CHARLES TOLLIVER (3CD Box Set)" (Mosaic Select MS-020)
 "CHARLES TOLLIVER/BIG BAND/WITH LOVE, Blue Note(CD# 69315
 "CHARLES TOLLIVER 4tet IMPACT CD (ENJA-2109 2)
 "LIVE IN BERLIN Vol. 1" (Strata-East CD9003)
 "LIVE IN BERLIN Vol. 2" (Strata-East CD9013)
 "LIVE AT LOOSDRECHT FESTIVAL" (Strata-East CD9032)
 "LIVE IN TOKYO" (Strata-East CD9015)
 "MUSIC INC & BIG BAND " (Strata-East CD9010)
 "MUSIC INC & ORCHESTRA/IMPACT" (Strata-East CD9001)
 "COMPASSION" (Strata-East CD9011)
 "LIVE AT HISTORIC SLUGS Vol.1 & Vol.2" (Strata-East CD 9016)
 "THE RINGER"(Black Lion CD760174)
 "THE NEW WAVE IN JAZZ"(Impulse/GRP CD# GRD-137)