Charlie Wood

Many observers long regarded Charlie Wood as one of Memphis’ most closely guarded musical treasures. Having relocated to London in the late 2000s, the pianist, vocalist, and composer has lately been building an international profile within blues and roots circles. Throughout the 1990s he fronted an array of small ensembles across the Memphis area before crossing the Atlantic; his compositions stand out for their fresh, sharply observed vignettes that sidestep blues conventions in favor of the incisive, frequently humorous approach modeled by Mose Allison, evident in pieces such as “You Are Not Among Friends,” “Back When I Was Stupid,” “The Art of Leaving Well Enough Alone,” and “Coffee Is for Me.”

Born in Memphis in 1967, Wood began classical piano studies early and turned toward jazz piano during high school and college. His first major opportunity arrived in 1990, when he spent a year touring with blues guitarist Albert King. Returning to Memphis the following year, the Charlie Wood Trio took up a nightly residency at King’s Palace Cafe on Beale Street. Over the next fifteen years, visiting artists that included Joey DeFrancesco, Georgie Fame, B.B. King, Rufus Thomas, Alvin Batiste, and Tony Reedus joined the group onstage at various times. Wood’s catalog comprises the Go Jazz releases Southbound and Who I Am, issued by Ben Sidran’s label, along with Somethin’ Else and Charlie Wood and the New Memphis Underground on the local Daddy-O imprint. After Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, he composed “Never Gonna Stop New Orleans,” which Irma Thomas—widely known as New Orleans’ Soul and Blues Queen—subsequently recorded.

Now based in London, Wood performs throughout England and continental Europe while maintaining ties to Memphis through a three-album agreement with Archer Records. Flutter and Wow, produced by Adam Levy—known for his work with Norah Jones—appeared on Archer in 2009. In keeping with his songwriting focus, the album features Wood’s interpretations of material by Tom Waits, Paul Simon, and Leonard Cohen alongside his own reflective originals.