|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZROUSE, Charlie(b 6 April '24, Washington DC; d 30 Nov. '88, Seattle WA) Tenor sax, inspired by a local band that rehearsed down the street. Played with Billy Eckstine, then Dizzy Gillespie big bands '44--5, Tadd Dameron and Fats Navarro late '40s, with Duke Ellington '49--50. Freelanced through '50s, co-formed Les Jazz Modes with French hornist Julius Watkins (b 10 Oct. '21, Detroit; d 4 April '77) for LPs on Seeco, Atlantic; also recorded with Paul Quinichette (The Chase Is On on Bethlehem), etc. Joined Thelonious Monk quartet '59-- 70. His quirky rhythmic style was compatible with Monk's tunes and he could play them the way Monk wanted: 'He thought if you practised the changes themselves, you'd play the chords as such and he didn't want to hear that. He wanted you to experiment.' Critics who earlier failed to understand Monk also underrated Rouse, whose sly high spirits were always recognizable and entertaining, as Monk's were. Worked with Mal Waldron early '80s, then co-operative band Sphere: Buster Williams on bass, Kenny Barron, Monk alumnus Ben Riley on drums: it played Monk's tunes among others, but was more than a Monk repertory band. LPs Four In One and Flight Path on Elektra, On Tour '85 on Red Records, Four For All '87 on Verve, Live At Umbria Jazz on Red. Own albums as leader: quintet Takin' Care Of Business on Jazzland and quartet Yeah! on Epic '60; Bossa Nova Bacchanal '62 on Blue Note, Two Is One '74 on Strata East, Cinnamon Flower '76 on Casablanca, all with Latin flavour; quartet Moment's Notice '77 on Storyville; The Upper Manhattan Jazz Society '81 on Enja, with Williams, Al Dailey on piano, Benny Bailey, Keith Copeland; Social Call '84 on Uptown, with Dailey, Red Rodney, Cecil McBee, Kenny Washington on drums; Playin' In The Yard '87 on SJ with UK quartet incl. Clark and Stan Tracey. |