Patrick Charles

With accomplished musicianship and a great sense of deep groove, virtuoso drummer Patrick Charles's music is both visual and cerebral. His debut CD, Cité Soleil, presents an artist of far-reaching vision and versatility. Scheduled for release in 2007 on his own Soleil recording label, Cité Soleil brings Patrick Charles center stage as a composer, producer and leader. Featuring a stellar cast of LA studio players, and world class jazz artist, such as Everette Harp of George Duke and Anita Baker, Wayne Linsey of Miles Davis, Kevin Toney of Ray Charles and Whitney Houston, and one time Musical director of the Temptations and Impromt 2 Johnny Britt. Cité Soleil showcases Patrick's own original songs and retells hits from legendary artists like Sting and Seal through the language of jazz. But it was upon hearing the news of his sister death in the summer of 2004 that Patrick began to focus on the core material for the album. "My sister was always an encouraging and positive force in my life; 'Charlene,' the last song on the CD, is dedicated to her."Born in Port-au-Prince Haiti, but raised in East Orange, New Jersey, Patrick owes his musical awakening during middle school to the trumpet. But the drums quickly became his instrument of choice, fueled by a love of what at the time were a new media outlet, MTV, and an emerging culture called hip-hop. Music became Patrick's calling card. Strangely enough, his first encounter with jazz happened by chance. "I found a pile of jazz records in an abandoned building in the neighborhood; in that pile was Miles Davis's Tutu. I'd heard some older cats in the 'hood mention his name, so I picked up the record; I've been hooked ever since."Patrick started to gig professionally during high school, during which time he became the regular drummer with the house band at the famous Peppermint Lounge in his hometown of East Orange NJ, nightly guess artist appearances includes the legendary Lou Rawls, Shaka Kahn, Barry White, and famed hip hop artist Naughty by Nature and Queen Latifah. After high school, Patrick set his eyes on the famed Berklee College of music in Boston, and then Los Angeles, where his work as a freelance drummer has brought him acclaim from live performances, studio sessions and television appearances that have include Boston Legal, Melrose place, comedy central band, BET Jazz, and the movie crazy the life of famed legendary jazz guitarist Hank Garland. While enjoying a busy career as a freelance drummer, Patrick began work on his own project a labor of love that has at last culminated in the full-length CD Cité Soleil.

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.. PATRICK CHARLES MAKANDEL GROUP-KUSH 'Cite Soleil' is the debut CD from drummer, composer and producer Patrick Charles. It threatens to redefine the accepted boundaries of contemporary jazz yet, with seven of his own compositions, another from the multi talented Johnny Britt, plus a strong interpretation of the Seal mega hit 'Crazy', this hip nine track collection is always compelling and totally enthralling. Charles was raised in East Orange, NJ and became hooked on jazz after discovering Miles Davis's 'Tutu'. Now, well established as a freelance drummer in the LA area, he has gathered together an impressive array of fellow session players and established artists to collaborate with him on the album. In doing so he has delivered some of the strongest and diverse tunes of the year. For example 'When The Love Is Gone' finds sax from both Everette Harp and Bobby English that sends shivers down the spine. Kevin Toney provides exceptionally good piano and the entire piece is masterfully anchored by the distinct bass of Alex Al. Toney returns again to lend a hand with Charles's delightfully understated 'Charlene' but, that said, the killer cut is without doubt the sumptuous 'Breathe'. With more outstanding keyboards from Kevin Toney and wonderful nylon string guitar from Ricky Z this one is sure to become one of the Smooth Jazz Therapy top tracks of 2008.Despite his New Jersey upbringing Charles was in fact born in Port – au – Prince Haiti and, from time to time, he allows the French influence of that island to permeate his music. This is particularly so with 'Kush' where the sexy spoken word of Sandrine Fritz lays the foundation for Johnny Britt on trumpet and Wayne Linsey ..s to weave a groove drenched web. The French theme (in title at least) continues with 'Jean Michel'. In reality the tune is an atmospheric chunk of laid back jazz that features stellar performances from Britt, Linsey and of course ultra tight drums and percussion from Charles. It is the percussion and keyboards of Charles that take the lead on the intense 'Makendel' which, as an interlude, is used to build a bridge to the heavily produced title track. Here Kevin Toney takes the lead on piano and is backed by powerful rock tinged guitar from Rob Bacon yet the real energy comes from the track's intense world rhythms that merge sensationally with spicy percussion from Timbale. Bacon is equally strong on the Johnny Britt composition 'Code Noir'. A languid beat laid down in unison by Patrick Charles and Larry Kimpel (who is immense on bass) establishes the platform from which first Britt on trumpet and then Bobby English on sax and flute make magic with their jazzy vibe.'Cite Soleil' is independently released on Patrick Charles own Soleil Records label and comes highly recommended. For more go to www.soleilrecords.com or www.myspace.com/soleiljazz