Charles Lloyd (jazz musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Lloyd
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Lloyd in October 2014
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| Background information | |
| Born | March 15, 1938 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Tenor saxophone, flute |
| Years active | 1959–present |
| Labels | Atlantic, Blue Note, Columbia, ECM, Pacific Arts |
Charles Lloyd (born March 15, 1938) is an American jazz musician. He mainly plays the tenor saxophone and flute. Sometimes, he also plays other wind instruments like the alto saxophone and the Hungarian tárogató. Since 2007, Lloyd's main band has been a quartet. It includes pianist Jason Moran, bassist Reuben Rogers, and drummer Eric Harland.
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Early Life and Musical Start
Charles Lloyd was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 13, 1938. Growing up in Memphis, he heard a lot of blues, gospel, and jazz music. He got his first saxophone when he was nine years old. He loved listening to jazz legends like Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday on the radio.
His early music teachers included pianist Phineas Newborn, Jr. and saxophonist Irvin Reason. As a teenager, Lloyd played jazz with other young musicians. He also played with famous blues artists like B.B. King.
In 1956, Lloyd moved to Los Angeles. He went to the University of Southern California to study music. At night, he played jazz in clubs. He performed with many top jazz artists from the West Coast. He was also part of Gerald Wilson's big band.
Music Career and Famous Bands
In 1960, Lloyd became the music director for Chico Hamilton's group. He wrote and arranged most of the music for their albums. He also worked with Nigerian drummer Babatunde Olatunji. In 1964, he joined the Cannonball Adderley Sextet. He played with them for two years, learning a lot about being a band leader.
Later in 1964, Lloyd started recording his own music. His albums Discovery! and Of Course, Of Course made him famous. DownBeat magazine even called him a "New Star." He also played with the famous rock band The Beach Boys in their live shows.
In March 2021, Charles Lloyd & the Marvels released their album Tone Poem. It included new songs by Lloyd and covers of songs by other great artists.
The Charles Lloyd Quartet
In 1966, Lloyd formed his "classic quartet" in New York. This group included drummer Jack DeJohnette, pianist Keith Jarrett, and bassist Cecil McBee. Their live album Forest Flower, recorded at the Monterey Jazz Festival, was a huge hit. It brought together both rock and jazz fans.
In 1967, DownBeat magazine named Lloyd "Jazz Artist of the Year." People say Lloyd was ahead of his time. He mixed music from different cultures into his songs. This is now known as world music. He describes his music as having "danced on many shores."
During the 1970s, Lloyd played a lot with The Beach Boys. He appeared on their studio albums and toured with them. He also joined a band called Celebration, which included members of The Beach Boys.
Lloyd returned to the jazz scene in 1981. He toured with pianist Michel Petrucciani. This return was a big event in the jazz world. After this tour, Lloyd took another break from music.
In 1986, after a serious illness, Lloyd decided to focus on music again. In 1988, he started a new quartet with Swedish pianist Bobo Stenson. When he played at the Montreux Jazz Festival that year, critics praised his unique and original music.
Recording with ECM and Blue Note
In 1989, Lloyd began recording with ECM Records. His first album with them was Fish Out of Water. The founder of ECM, Manfred Eicher, called it the "refined essence of what music should be." Lloyd toured and recorded many albums with ECM. These albums often included elements of world music.
In 2011, ECM released Athens Concert. This album was a live recording of a concert Lloyd performed with Greek singer Maria Farantouri. They played at the Herodion Theater at the Acropolis in Athens.
In 2013, Lloyd celebrated his 75th birthday with special concerts. He performed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. In 2015, he received the NEA Jazz Masters Award, a very high honor in jazz. He was also inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame in 2016.
In 2015, Lloyd signed with Blue Note Records. He has released several albums with them, including Wild Man Dance and Tone Poem. His 2024 album, The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow, was named album of the year by DownBeat critics. Lloyd was also elected into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame in 2024.
Personal Life
Charles Lloyd lives in Southern California with his wife, Dorothy Darr.
Discography
Charles Lloyd has released many albums as a leader throughout his long career. Some of his notable albums include Forest Flower, Fish Out of Water, and The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow. He has also played as a sideman (a supporting musician) on albums by many other artists. These include Cannonball Adderley, Chico Hamilton, The Beach Boys, and The Doors.
Filmography
- The Monk and the Mermaid - A documentary film by Fara C & Giuseppe De Vecchi - Oleo films - Forest Farm + Art - Mezzo TV - 2008
- Arrows Into Infinity - A film by Dorothy Darr & Jeffery Morse - Forest Farm + Art - 2013
- LOVE LONGING LOSS - At Home with Charles Lloyd During a Year of the Plague - A film by Dorothy Darr - Pierre Boulez SAAL - 2021
See also
In Spanish: Charles Lloyd para niños
