Charles Sullivan

Charles Sullivan is a most underrated trumpeter. He has excellent technique, fine tonality, and a bright, shimmering tone. He can be effective in both hard bop, free big band or bebop contexts. Although he has a lot of recordings to his name, he’s not getting the recognition he deserves. Sullivan attended the Manhattan School of Music in 1960s and worked on off-Broadway productions. In the late ’60s, he played with Roy Haynes’ Hip Ensemble and Lionel Hampton. He then toured briefly with Lonnie ListonSmith in 1971 and 1970 as Count Basie’s lead trumpeter. He was with Sy Oliver in 1972 and Norman Connors 1973. Sullivan toured Europe with Abdullah Ibrahim and then recorded with Sonny Fortune and Carlos Garnett. He also recorded with Ricky Ford, Ricky Ford and Ricky Jefferson. He also cut his own records through the ’70s. Sullivan didn’t gain any recognition or expand his audience despite all the activity. In the late 1970s, Sullivan started leading Black Legacy and continued to lead the group into the 1980s. Sullivan does not currently have any sessions on CD. However, you can hear them on reissues from Shaw, Jefferson Maupin Fortune and other artists. Allmusic

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