CHARLIE KOHLHASE
Genres: Avant-Garde Jazz, 21st Century Modern • United States

Alto, tenor and baritone saxophonist Charlie Kohlhase has been a mainstay of Boston’s jazz scene for over twenty years.  Whether leading his two newest bands, performing in a dozen others or writing over 50 compositions, his music spans a broad range of styles with an emphasis on the contemporary and the improvised. Born and raised in Portsmouth, New Hampshire (11/28/56), Charlie began playing saxophones at 18.  After private studies with Stan Strickland and Roswell Rudd , he moved to Boston in 1980. In 1989, he formed the Charlie Kohlhase Quintet , an ongoing project that has performed locally and nationally for a decade and half. Their long-awaited live 2-CD set, “Play Free Or Die,” has been released on the Boxholder label to critical acclaim. Kohlhase also leads the CK5, a second quintet that recently released its live debut, “CK5 Live!” Charlie's two newest bands, Explorer's Club and Saxophone Support Group read more...