The Charlie Johnson Quartet
Moment's Notice
© 2003 The Charlie Johnson Quartet
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Jazz lovers will delight in this mix of some old favorites with a dash of funk and blues thrown in for a little spice. There is nothing "standard" about the way this quartet performs America's music.
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The Charlie Johnson Quartet was formed in 2001 by Chicago keyboardist Charlie Johnson. Possessed with an extraordinary talent on the keys, Charlie has backed many local and international artists for over 15 years performing jazz, R&B and gospel. Charlie wanted to focus on his love of jazz so he put together some of Chicago's finest musicians for his own quartet.
Charlie's choice on bass is Buddy Pearson. Buddy has also played around the Chicago and Indiana area for a number of years and is sought after by many bands for his expertise on the six string electric bass. Just as proficient on upright accoustic bass, Buddy is a truly phenomenal musician.
On drums, the youngest member of the group is Charles Heath, IV. Although Charles has been on the professional music scene for just a few years, he has already done several international tours and is a favorite among local musicians and singers. Charles' rhythmic solos display his remarkable sense of time and talent.
The lead vocalist for the quartet is Margaret Murphy. Margaret has sung professionally for over twenty years and was trained vocally by tenor sax great Von Freeman. Margaret's style of phrasing a song and her deep timbre add a final touch to this quartet's unique style.
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in full bloom
author: nikitaharrisI didnt get a chance to hear the whole album but the songs I did hear I liked
This CD is Great!
author: philly-songbirdI saw Margaret perform with Charlie's band while visiting Chicago. I am a professional vocalist and I have to take my hat off to Margaret's vocal expertise. She and Charlie have formed a musical bond that will be the envy of jazz bands everywhere! I love the CD and the fact that you cats were brave enough to do it live, AWESOME!
This is one of my favorite CD's
author: JeanieI saw this group perform while I was visiting Chicago at a place called "The Back Room". Charlie Johnson is the best piano player I have ever seen in my life, and when you add Margaret's voice to the mix, it just doesn't get any better than this. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to have a CD to go with the best memory of my life.
Nice variety of songs, wonderful performance.
author: Rich MateykoThis is a tight knit group which has obviously been working together for a while. The songs cover a wide spectrum of the jazz idiom and the vocals bring fresh interpretations to standards. Margaret Murphy has a voice which deserves to be heard.
60:49 minutes of some of the coolest Jazz out there!!
author: JaybirdOutstanding selection of tunes and moods on this CD. If you've seen these folks live you'll love this one! Margarets voice resonates-it's like having one of the most sultry vocal sounds intertwined with a Jazz sound very reminiscent of the Vince Guaraldi Trio-Charlie is amazing on the piano!!
A must have! Refreshing arrangements& beautiful vocals!
author: C. Crawford WebbA wonderful debut from a extraordinarily talented band. The instrumental arrangements are innovative and the musicianship shown by each player is superb. Margaret Murphy's vocals are incredible. She sings with passion and energy and crafts each performance with precise intonation, smooth vibrato, and masterful phrasing. I love this CD!
Great Ensemble Playing and an Astounding New Voice
author: LowWackerThis is a true jazz album with no weak links among the performers. Charlie Johnson is an imaginative and sympathetic interpreter with an impeccable melodic sense (but not afraid to open his coat and show us his chops). Charles Heath and Buddy Pearson consistently demand our attention with their tasteful devotion of technique to the requirements of the song. They’re virtuosos who don’t overdo the virtuosity. I have heard Margaret Murphy sing in clubs, but nothing prepared me for the maturity and beauty of her performances on this album. She is not featured on every cut, but I promise you I am not exaggerating when I say that she is every bit the equal of the Cassandra Wilsons and Diana Kralls of the world. (Actually, not true – Ms. Krall should be accompanying Ms. Murphy.) She brings a steetjazz sound, thrilling but absolutely authentic, to each phrase. We don’t hear a lot of female jazz vocalists singing in Ms. Murphy’s register these days, and it brings back the aching allure of chanteuses like Peggy Lee and Julie London with something extra – an emotional letting-go that takes her skills to the limit but never beyond. Pipes like these deserve a national audience. Man.
- author: Beatrice Hart
Dynamic! Stirring background delightfully enhances the sound of vocalist who creates new meaning from some familiar lyrics turning old favorites into fresh and exciting musical experiences and the new songs a joyous treat for all music lovers.
- author: carmen
i loved the cd. the selections were diverse. the vocalist had an excellent range. for their first cd, i thought the cd was great, and i can't wait for the second cd. i love vocalists who sing live!!!!!!!!!!!