Biography
The Boston-rooted Charlie Kohlhase stands out as a perceptive alto and baritone saxophonist whose compositions display a lively, faintly sardonic wit. His quintet has kept an unusually steady lineup, experiencing just one personnel shift since the ensemble first assembled in 1989 and thereby supplying him with a reliable vehicle for ongoing creative development. Kohlhase is distinguished by a restless creative mind paired with meticulous care for nuance, resulting in sharply honed pieces that the group delivers with intensity and assurance.
He first took up the saxophone at age 18. Although largely self-taught on both his instrument and as a writer, he worked periodically with Roswell Rudd, Tom Bergeron, and Stan Strickland. Kohlhase relocated from Portsmouth, NH, to Boston in 1980 and has directed his own ensembles there since 1982. The Charlie Kohlhase Quintet was founded in 1987 with Matt Langley on saxophones, Curtis Hasselbring on trombone, John Turner on bass, and Matt Wilson on drums; John Carlson took over the trumpet chair from Hasselbring in 1992. During the 1990s the group traveled repeatedly through the Midwest. Kohlhase has maintained ties to the Either/Orchestra since 1987 and has appeared on recordings by the Mandala Octet and guitarist Mitch Seidman.
He first took up the saxophone at age 18. Although largely self-taught on both his instrument and as a writer, he worked periodically with Roswell Rudd, Tom Bergeron, and Stan Strickland. Kohlhase relocated from Portsmouth, NH, to Boston in 1980 and has directed his own ensembles there since 1982. The Charlie Kohlhase Quintet was founded in 1987 with Matt Langley on saxophones, Curtis Hasselbring on trombone, John Turner on bass, and Matt Wilson on drums; John Carlson took over the trumpet chair from Hasselbring in 1992. During the 1990s the group traveled repeatedly through the Midwest. Kohlhase has maintained ties to the Either/Orchestra since 1987 and has appeared on recordings by the Mandala Octet and guitarist Mitch Seidman.