Charles Lloyd is a renowned American jazz musician, primarily known for playing tenor saxophone and flute. Born on March 15, 1938, in Memphis, Tennessee, Lloyd has had a long and influential career in jazz spanning over six decades.
Early Life and Education
Lloyd began playing saxophone at age nine, mentored by pianist Phineas Newborn.
He took saxophone lessons from Irvin Reason and composition studies with Willie Mitchell.
As a teenager, he immersed himself in the Memphis music scene, playing with George Coleman, Booker Little, Harold Mabern, and Frank Strozier.
He also worked as a sideman for blues artists like Johnny Ace, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Howlin' Wolf, and B.B. King.
In 1956, Lloyd moved to Los Angeles and graduated from the University of Southern California.
Early Career
In Los Angeles, Lloyd played in Gerald Wilson's big band and with musicians like Don Cherry, Ornette Coleman, Eric Dolphy, Billy Higgins, Scott La Faro, and Bobby Hutcherson.
He joined Chico Hamilton's band in 1960 as the ensemble's music director and main composer.
In 1964, Lloyd joined Cannonball Adderley's band and moved to New York.
The Charles Lloyd Quartet
In 1965, Lloyd formed his own quartet featuring:
Keith Jarrett (piano)
Cecil McBee (bass)
Jack DeJohnette (drums)
Their 1966 album "Forest Flower: Live at Monterey" became one of the first jazz recordings to sell a million copies.
The quartet gained popularity in both jazz and rock circles, playing at venues like the Fillmore auditoriums.
Lloyd was voted DownBeat's 1967 Artist of the Year.
Hiatus and Return
In 1969, at the peak of his career, Lloyd disbanded the quartet and retreated from the jazz scene for most of two decades.
During this period, he occasionally worked with the Beach Boys and other pop musicians.
Lloyd resumed touring activities and began recording with ECM Records in 1989.
Later Career
Lloyd has continued to experiment with his music, collaborating with various musicians and exploring different musical sources.
His primary band since 2007 has been a quartet including:
Pianist Jason Moran
Bassist Reuben Rogers
Drummer Eric Harland
He has released numerous albums on ECM Records and later on Blue Note Records.
Notable Achievements and Style
Lloyd is credited with anticipating world music by incorporating music from other cultures into his compositions.
He has been described as having "a strange and beautiful distillation of the American experience, part abandoned and wild, part immensely controlled and sophisticated."
Lloyd has received various awards, including:
A "Brass Note" on Beale Street in Memphis
An Award of Merit from Tallinn, Estonia
The Miles Davis Award from the Montreal International Jazz Festival
Recent Activity
As of 2021, Lloyd was still actively performing, playing at the London Jazz Festival at age 83.
He continues to release new music, with albums like:
"Tone Poem" (2021)
"The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow" (2024)
Charles Lloyd's extensive discography, collaborations with diverse musicians, and enduring influence in jazz make him a significant figure in the genre's history. His ability to bridge different musical worlds and his continuous evolution as an artist have cemented his place as one of jazz's most respected saxophonists and composers.
