Charles McPherson Quintet

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

TIME: 8:15-9:15PM

VENUE: WAGNER STAGE. MIDWAY PLAISANCE AT South WOODLAWN AVE.

CHARLES McPHERSON

Growing up in Detroit, Charles McPherson studied with the renowned pianist Barry Harris and started playing jazz professionally at age 19. He soon moved to New York, where he joined Charles Mingus’ band (1960-1972) and collaborated frequently with Harris, Lonnie Hillyer, and George Coleman. 

Since then, he has continued to perform at concerts and festivals around the world, both with his own groups and alongside jazz greats including Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton, Nat Adderly, Jay McShann, Phil Woods, Wynton Marsalis, Tom Harrell, Randy Brecker, James Moody, and Dizzy Gillespie. He has recorded as a guest artist with Charlie Mingus, Barry Harris, Art Farmer, Kenny Drew, Toshiko Akiyoshi, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra, and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Additionally, he was the featured alto saxophonist in the Charlie Parker biopic, “Bird.” 

Widely recognized as a prolific composer, McPherson is now Resident Composer for the San Diego Ballet. His original compositions have been featured at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and critics at DownBeat and elsewhere have recognized his newest album, Jazz Dance Suites, as one of the Best Jazz Recordings of the Year. Meanwhile, Jazz Times Reader’s Polls named the album #1 New Release—and McPherson himself #1 Artist of the Year. 

McPherson has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Don Redman Lifetime Achievement Award and an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from California State University San Marcos. 

The musicians: 

Charles McPherson – alto saxophone

Terell Stafford – trumpet

Jeb Patton – piano

David Wong – bass

George Fludas - drums