Charlie Owens at Charlie O's
by jazzcat on Jul.16, 2004, under News
As I strolled in through the back, you can
hear the jazz escaping through the crevices in the door like it was
light emanating behind a door on a Steven King novel. I opened it up
and BAM! I was smacked by the power of the sound, instantly immersed in
the rich pallet of africa blue.
Charles
Owens delivering sweet, powerful and lovely tones from his array of
horns. Charles knows how to put a gang of hard hitting cats together as
well. The Littleton
brothers in the rhythm, and yes the pun is intended! Donald Vega
playing so masterfully on piano, Ray Armando on percussion and on Alto,
Soprano and Bass Clarinet, the master horn player himself Charles Owens.
Charles
Owens is one of the most fascinating, humble, kind and funny as hell
musicians that you are ever going to meet. A man of honor and
integrity when it comes to his passion for his music and for his
audience and fellow musicians. The band was on fire with afro picante
sauce all over the place burning up tunes like Afro-Blue and Sugar all
over the place! Donald Vega played a beautiful solo version of “You
Must Believe in spring” and I looked at my girl and gave her a big KISS!
The
latest disc by Charles is called “Let Me into Your Heart” which is
something you can't help but do when you hear him play live. Chet
Hanley of the television show “Jazz in the Modern Era” dropped by to
check out the music and said that Charles Owens will be a guest on his
show sometime in September. I will also be a guest on Chet's show
sometime in October and of course, I will let you know!
Make sure to get out and see Charles Owens when he plays next in town. You will leave a new person!
LeRoy Downs