Charles Langford

Charles Langford has been writing music since his teenage years. This Springfield, Massachusetts jazz man does it all...tenor, alto, soprano sax, clarinet and flute. Mr. Langford came to the Northeast United States after attending the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and the New School for Social Research in New York City. He studied composition and teaching with Billy Harper, Donald Byrd, and Barry Harris, among others. Prior to that, Mr. Langford studied with Archie Shepp and Yusef Latef. Since then, Charles Langford has become one of the Boston area's top A-list players, with artists ranging from The Toni Lynn Washington Blues Band to The Temptations and Mighty Sam McClain. He's paid his dues and put in years with Melvin Sparks, Norman Connors, Solomon Burke, and Steve Turre.

My quest for the life of a recording artist began with a love for Jazz. I started out listening to this wonderful music with my father and grandfather. They inspired me through their deep appreciation for the uniqueness of their beloved artists. I was taught how to listen and tell the difference between Basie and Duke to Bird and Trane. Later I was introduced to Grover and so my journey began.

Starting out, the idea of living the road band life was the last thing on our minds. After we did all the local gigs, we realized the only way for us to evolve as a band was to hit the road. Over the next five years, we logged thousands of gigs — with the occasional festival appearance — in cities across the country. Our time on the road proved crucial in shaping our sound.

We’re packing up the gear for an extended U.S. tour in support of our new album. Our set list will prominently feature the new stuff but also dive into favorites from our previous releases. Check out our tour page for when we’ll be playing near you.