Charles McPherson was born in Joplin, Missouri, and relocated to Detroit at a young age. He spent his formative years in Detroit, where he had the privilege of studying with the renowned pianist Barry Harris. McPherson's professional jazz career began at the tender age of 19, and he quickly made a name for himself in the music scene.
In 1959, McPherson made the bold decision to leave Detroit behind and relocate to New York. It was during this time that he had the opportunity to perform alongside the legendary Charles Mingus from 1960 to 1972. McPherson's collaborations with Mingus were frequent and fruitful, and he often worked alongside other talented musicians, including Harris, Lonnie Hillyer, and George Coleman.
Throughout his illustrious career, McPherson has performed at numerous concerts and festivals, both as a leader and as a guest artist. He has had the privilege of touring the United States, Europe, Japan, Africa, and South America, and has shared the stage with jazz greats such as Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton, Nat Adderly, and Jay McShann.
In addition to his work as a performer, McPherson has also made significant contributions to the world of jazz as a composer and arranger. His original compositions and arrangements have been featured at Lincoln Center, and he has recorded as a leader on a variety of labels, including Prestige, Fantasy, Mainstream, Discovery, Xanadu, and Arabesque.
McPherson's most recent recording, "Manhattan Nocturne", has received widespread critical acclaim, and he continues to be a powerful force on the jazz scene today. His playing is characterized by its passionate feeling and intricate patterns of improvisation, and he remains true to his BOP origins while continually expanding and evolving as an artist.
As Stanley Crouch so eloquently put it in his New York Times article, "Charles McPherson is a singular voice who has never sacrificed the fluidity of his melody-making, and is held in high esteem by musicians both long seasoned and young."
