JAS Academy Afro-Caribbean Big Band w/Etienne Charles

JAS Academy Afro-Caribbean Big Band w/Etienne Charles

Late Show | $45 Main Room Seating – $30 Main Room Standing/Bar Seating

The goal of the JAS Academy is to identify and assist the most talented artists in embracing jazz fundamentally while exploring myriad related & unrelated forms of music at the highest level of quality. While at the Academy, in addition to their studies and rehearsals, students will also be showcased at multiple public performances.

The goal of the JAS Academy is to identify and assist the most talented artists in embracing jazz fundamentally while exploring myriad related & unrelated forms of music at the highest level of quality. While at the Academy, in addition to their studies and rehearsals, students will also be showcased at multiple public performances.Etienne Charles is a Trinidad-born trumpeter, composer, and storyteller whose work explores untold histories through sound. Known for his rich tone, layered compositions, and rhythm-driven approach, he creates music that both engages and challenges, often addressing complex cultural and historical themes.

A 2015 Guggenheim Fellow and 2022 Creative Capital Awardee, Charles develops his projects through immersive research, traveling to communities, collaborating with local artists, and engaging directly with cultural traditions. His work connects the African diaspora and highlights marginalized voices, as heard in projects including Creole Soul, San Jose Suite, and Carnival: The Sound of a People.

Charles’ performances are multidisciplinary experiences, incorporating original composition, improvisation, film, and spoken word. His commissioned work San Juan Hill examines the history of a once-vibrant New York community, continuing his focus on storytelling through music.

He has performed at major venues and festivals worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, the Newport Jazz Festival, and the Monterey Jazz Festival, and has collaborated with artists such as Roberta Flack, Marcus Miller, and the Count Basie Orchestra.

An active educator, Charles is Associate Professor of Studio Music and Jazz at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, where he continues to inspire the next generation of artists.

LISTEN TO ETIENNE CHARLES