Biography
Charles Fambrough achieved his greatest visibility during a period spent in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He headed three compelling all-star sessions for CTI that centered on his own inventive compositions. Classical piano formed his initial focus until he changed to bass at thirteen. Local theater pit orchestras for musical productions became his workplace beginning in 1968, and after independent work in 1970 he entered Grover Washington, Jr.'s ensemble, remaining through 1974. Later tenures took him to Airto from 1975 to 1977, McCoy Tyner from 1978 to 1980, and Art Blakey once more from 1980 to 1982. Freelance activity in numerous settings followed. His CTI dates featured Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Kenny Kirkland, Jerry Gonzalez, Steve Turre, Donald Harrison, Kenny Garrett, Abdullah Ibrahim, and Grover Washington, Jr. Charles Fambrough died of a heart attack at age sixty in his Allentown, PA home on January 1, 2011; he had been contending with several grave illnesses that included end-stage renal disease and congestive heart failure, and benefit concerts had taken place in the Philadelphia area over the prior years to offset mounting medical costs for the bassist and his family.
Albums