Charles Lloyd New Quartet featuring Jason Moran, Reuben Rogers and Eric Harland

One of the greatest players in that very creative jazz generation that came to fame in the 60’s. His main weapons are tenor, alto and flutes, occasionally also soprano, oboe and ethnic horns, even keyboards. Combines elements of rock and Eastern musics into deep jazz base. His tone is rich, sensual and sensitive. The spiritual vibe to his playing comes from a long time practise of meditation.

Charles Lloyd came to earth in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1938. He went to school with Booker Little and George Coleman. For a while he studied dentistry, but music took the man completely when he played R&B with B.B. King and Howling Wolf, among others. 1956 Lloyd moved to the West Coast, where he played in the bands of Gerald Wilson, Chico Hamilton and Cannonball Adderley. First alto sax, but from the early 60’s mostly tenor. The most famous of his own bands is the quartet with pianist Keith Jarrett and drummer Jack DeJohnette that recorded the Love-In album live at the legendary rock temple Fillmore.

Lloyd, who also has played with the Doors and Beach Boys, retired from music twice, but after a near death experience in 1986 he re-activated his career and has since gigged and recorded steadily for ECM with excellent results both with his quartet and the Sangam Trio. His latest album, Mirror, came out last year earning a lot of praise from critics.