When asked by Herb Nolan in Downbeat magazine interviews, Dizzy Gillespie replied, “Charles Tolliver, I like him.” Charles Tolliver is an exceptional talent and a self-taught trumpeter, bandleader, composer/arranger, educator. His musical journey began in 1972, when his grandmother Lela gave him a cornet and the motivation to learn. Charles started his professional career in the saxophone industry with Jackie Mclean after a few years studying pharmacy at Howard University. Charles made his debut recording with McLean in 1964 on Blue Note Records. Since then, Charles has recorded or performed with many renowned artists such as Roy Haynes and Hank Mobley.
