FROM THE OFFICIAL PRESS BIO:
"Classical vocal technique, as well as Jazz improvisation are only a few of the facets of All-around talent Charles Simmons." - Stuttgarter Zeitung
"With his hard as steel, dynamic and multi-facetted Gospel voice, Charles easily won the audience over." - Die Rheinpfalz
Soulful. Dynamic. Multi-faceted. These are only a few words that could describe Charles Simmons. His talent and passion for music shines through as one of Germany's most highly regarded singers / live performers. His Gospel, Soul and Rock music upbringing, as well as his training in Classical Voice, Jazz Improvisation, and Musical Theater, serves as the foundation for his high energy, dynamic live performances.
In addition to being a gifted singer, Charles is also a skillful multi-instumentalist, having taught himself to play the piano, drums, guitar, bass, and various percussion instruments at an early age. His musical background and experience have been put to good use, allowing Charles to score a number of successful commercial CD releases. As a member of the pop project The Free (Dance Pool / Sony Music Germany), together with Felix Gauder (producer of such acts as Blue Lagoon, Novaspace, Tom Novy, Das Modul, Sonique, and many more), Charles has had 5 singles in the German Singles Charts, the last being the 1997 smash radio hit "Loveletter From Space", which also went Top 5 in the Scandinavian Pop Charts. Charles is also a sought after studio singer, and has been featured on a number of other top CD releases, as well as in numerous TV commercial jingles, most notably for Langnese's "Magic Of Home" campaign for their Cremissimo and Vienetta ice cream brands.
Charles' talent as a singer is widely recognized in the music industry. He has performed with many U.S. and European top artists and producers, including Mary J. Blige, Shaggy, Stefan Raab, Xavier Naidoo, Steve Lukather and Simon Philips of Toto, Sasha (aka Dick Brave), Brian McKnight,The Weather Girls, Crystal Waters, Sonique and the Backstreet Boys. Since 2002 Charles has been working closely with 3p recording artists Sabrina Setlur, Glashaus, and Moses Pelham.
In 2006, Charles decided to do something radically different musically, and entered the world of Alternative Rock. Together with Dennis Poschwatta, Henning Rümenapp and Stefan Ude (former members of Germany's most successful Crossover band to date, Guano Apes) he formed the band "iO", They're currently working on their debut CD, to be released toward the end of the year, and are touring through Germany. They're sound is a potent mix of raw, energetic alternative rock / metal music and Charles' powerful soul vocals.
In 2007, Charles can be seen and heard on the track "Lauta", the latest single from Germany's rap queen, Sabrina Setlur.
