Charmian Callon

CHARMIAN CALLON BIO:

Born in Laurel Canyon, CA, I grew up in Los Angeles and Maui, Hawaii. I come from a musical family - my dad Jim is a musician, sang and played guitar in The Glass Family and worked with Parliament Funkadelic as recording engineer and mixer through the mid-70's, working on many of their classic albums. My three brothers are all musically inclined and my mom was always listening to Bob Marley when I was a kid growing up in Hawaii. After starting out as a guitar player in junior high (taught to me by my brother Chris) I moved on to flute and keyboards. I started playing flute because I really got into the wind instruments in jazz and latin music. I had great teachers, one of whom is the world reknowned flautist James Newton. Flute is definitely my number 1 love ~ it's so organic and personal to me. My recent instrumental additions are mandolin and melodica, but flute will always be my favorite.

I started out playing in the L.A. underground hip hop/jazz scene, playing in bands and at open jams. I've recorded on some tracks for my friend hip hop producer OMID (OD/Beneath The Surface), and recently I recorded on a new song called "Picturesque" by old school electro pioneer EGYPTIAN LOVER for his new album "Platinum Pyramids". My friend TOM BURBANK just released his debut album "Famous First Words" on Planet Mu Records and I play on a few of his tracks ("Stay One", "Riding Off").

I play with the rock band BORN AS GHOSTS (www.myspace.com/ bornasghostsmusic), and the afro-beat/Fela Kuti tribute band AFROBEAT DOWN (www.myspace.com/afrobeatdown). I also have recorded with and sometimes play live with reggae/soul group BLACK SHAKESPEARE PRESENTS THE KING ROCKERS (www.myspace.com/blackshakespearemusic). Check them all out on my space.

The songs posted here are ones I have recorded and produced in my home studio, part of a 5 song EP that I self-released June 12, 2007 from the new label I started, Black Ocean Music.