DESCRIPTION:
Jazz has always been a influx of some forms of musical influences and cultural experiences from all over the world. Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie was instrumental in playing the Latin rhythms of Cuba in his music. Saxophonist Stan Getz introduced the Brazilian rhythms and their country's composers and musicians with the Bossa Nova craze that took over the American music scene during the early 1960's. That's what makes jazz music so unique and diverse, the fact that music from Cuba, South America, India, and Africa has taken a shape in this glorious music.
Trumpeter, leader, composer, and educator Etienne Charles continues to bring his 'musician gumbo' to the mix with his latest disc "Kaiso." Charles, a native of Trinidad, has made a successful career playing and recording music of his country as well as taking elements of jazz and fusing them together. His last to recordings "Culture Shock" and "Folklore" showcases the trumpeters love of calypso music and how it had an impact on him growing up in Trinidad.

"Kaiso" focuses more on classic calypso songs made famous by composers and performers that made and shaped the music what it is today. The term "kaiso" means "go on" or to "continue" and originated in Nigeria. Etienne pays tribute to Lord Kitchener, Mighty Sparrow, and Roaring Lion. He adds, "these were the guys that I grew up listening to with my father and grandfather as a kid." He holds Lion in high regards "because he was able to incorporate all kinds of musical genres in his music. Whether it be African, South American, American, or Indian; the music he heard and experienced somehow was heard in his calypsos." Etienne re-recorded Lord Kitchner's "Sugar Bum Bum," Mighty Sparrow's "Russian Satellite," and Roaring Lion's "J'Ouvert Barrio."

The disc features some heavyweight musicians in both the jazz and calypso music scene. Musicians ranging from pianist Monty Alexander and percussionist Ralph MacDonald to Lord Superior and group 3 Canal. Saxophonists Ben Hogans and Jacques Schwarz-Bart, bassist Ben Williams, pianist Sullivan Fortner, and drummer Obed Calvarie make up Etienne's band Kaiso.

Although Etienne was born and raised in Trinidad, he studied and earned his degree undergraduate degree at Florida State University as a Brautlecht Scholar of the College of Music. He then earned his Masters Degree from the Juilliard School where he was awarded the William Schuman Prize. Currently he's the Assistant Professor of Jazz Trumpet at Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan.

Etienne is currently on the road. To find out upcoming club dates or to order his latest disc "Kaiso," visit him on the web at www.etiennecharles.com