| B i o g r a p h y |
Charles Fambrough - Born August 25, 1950
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.
Best-known for his stint with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, bassist
Charles Fambrough has led three very effective all-star dates for CTI
that were filled with his stimulating originals. He originally studied
classical piano but switched to bass when he was 13. In 1968, Fambrough
began playing with local pit bands for musicals and after some
freelancing in 1970, he joined Grover Washington, Jr.'s band, staying
with the popular saxophonist up until 1974. Fambrough was with Airto
(1975-1977), McCoy Tyner (1978-1980), and then Art Blakey (1980-1982).
Since that time, he has freelanced in many different situations.
Fambrough's sidemen on his CTI recordings have included Wynton and
Branford Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Kenny Kirkland, Jerry Gonzalez, Steve
Turre, Donald Harrison, Kenny Garrett, Abdullah Ibrahim, and Grover
Washington, Jr.