Etienne Charles September 24, 2012

Born on the island of Trinidad in 1983, the Grammy-nominated trumpeter, steel drum player, and cuatro player Etienne Charles employs jazz with folk rhythms and chants, as heard on 'Folklore.' With this tribute to the late drummer, percussionist, and composer Ralph MacDonald (himself the son of a Trinidadian Calypsonian), Charles treats his audiences to the fun and sunny harmonies of his homeland, blended with that of other island-bred musicians --all of whom play modern jazz like the precision be-boppers they all are: Etienne Charles, trumpet; Jacques Schwarz-Bart, tenor saxophone; Sullivan Fortner, piano; Alex Wintz, guitar; Burniss Travis II, bass; John Davis, drums; D'Achee, percussion; Dennis Collins, vocals.