Sid Gribetz presents organist Charles Earland July 27 from 2-7 PM on “Sunday Profiles”.

Charles Earland is one of the primary “Hammond Heroes” of the original generation of soulful jazz organists on the B-3.

Earland swings brightly with his easy-going, syncopated, dance able rhythms on great pop tunes, but that sets things up for his hard-driving intensity on searing, adventuresome numbers. His dynamic power earned his nickname “The Mighty Burner”.

Born in Philadelphia on May 24,1941, Earland originally played the saxophone in Philly and then with Jimmy McGriff’s band for several years. Earland taught himself to play the organ by watching McGriff, and then left that band to start his own career as an organist.

He got his major start with Lou Donaldson on Lou’s hot Blue Note recordings in 1968-9. Earland then emerged with his own big hit record of “More Today Than Yesterday” on Prestige in 1970. After great success for many years with compadres ranging from Grover Washington to Houston Person, in jazz, soul, and funk, Earland settled in Chicago. He studied for the ministry adding spiritual themes to his music while still keeping the torch for great swinging jazz. He recorded many records for Milestone, Muse and HighNote, and nurtured a touring band with young greats such as Eric Alexander and Jim Rotondi.

Earland died from heart failure at the early age of 58 in 1999.