Saxophonist/ composer/ bandleader Charlie Kohlhase (b. 1956) has been part of Boston’s Jazz scene for over40 years. After studies with Roswell Rudd and Stan Strickland, Kohlhase moved to Boston in 1980. He formed the Charlie Kohlhase Quintet in 1989, a band that performed around New England and toured nationally for a dozen years. Charlie worked with the great Danish woodwind master John Tchicai off and on between 1993 and 2008, making three recordings along the way. He started his Explorers Club band in 2005, which has had a lineup of 5 to 9 players since and also leads the Saxophone Support Group, a woodwind octet that specializes in the music of Julius Hemphill, Steve Lacy and John Tchicai. As a sideman Kohlhase has been a member of Dead Cat Bounce, the Either/ Orchestra, the Makanda Project and the Mandala Octet. Over the years he’s performed with an array of players including Mahmoud Ahmed, Mulatu Astatke, Anthony Braxton, Cab Calloway, Leroy Jenkins, Oliver Lakeand Roswell Rudd.
Warren Smith:
Warren Smith was born in Chicago on May 14, 1934 to a musical family. He has played an astonishing array of music over his 7 decade-plus career. He has performed for composers John Cage, Harry Partch and Igor Stravinsky. He toured with Muhal Richard Abrams, Nat King Cole, Julius Hemphill, Janis Joplin, Sam Rivers, Max Roach’s MBOOM Percussion Ensemble and the Tony Williams Lifetime. Warren has recorded with Gene Ammons, Anthony Braxton, Jaki Byard, Gil Evans, Billy Harper, Makanda Ken McIntyre, Charles Mingus, Charles Tolliver and David S. Ware. As a busy studio musician for many decades he recorded with Count Basie, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Carmen McRae, Van Morrison, Nancy Wilson and Stevie Wonder. Warren played in Broadway pit bands for many years and has made a handful of outstanding recordings with his Composers Workshop Ensemble. Having recently celebrated his 89th Birthday, Mr. Smith continues to be a force in music.
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