Tune in this Sunday, October 12th for Jazz Profiles featuring the music of soul-jazz organist and composer Charles Earland (1941-1999) hosted by Sid Gribetz. Born in Philadelphia, Charles Earland played tenor saxophone with Jimmy McGriff, who would influence him to learn to play the organ. “The Mighty Burner” would form his own trio, and then join Lou Donaldson’s group from 1968-1969 with whom he recorded two best-selling albums. Earland would eventually sign on as a solo artist to Prestige. He would produce several albums in the late 60’s and 70’s on that label which would feature his energetic sound with contributions from other members of Donaldson’s group and artists like Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Billy Cobham, and Grover Washington, Jr. Earland was married to keyboardist and vocalist Sheryl Kendrick with whom he recorded on several albums. Although Earland stopped playing for some time after Kendrick’s death, he would continue to record and perform his powerful grooves throughout the rest of his career. Join us this Sunday for the life and music of “the Mighty Burner”!
