Home » Jazz Musicians » Charlie Harrington
Charlie Harrington
Charlie Harrington is a multitalented drummer whose artistic ability is seemingly limitless. As a bandleader and as a sideman he pushes the boundaries of swing and groove and has garnered critical acclaim for his ability to inspire and entertain. He's known for sophisticated rhythms, distinctive accompaniment, and powerful solos. "...his inimitable antagonistic percussive prodding, coupled with a dazzling display of virtuosic improvisational madness, was breathtaking," writes the San Mateo Daily News.
“A drummer can be one of three things: a technician, an entertainer, or a musician. I strive to always be all three,” says Charlie. “A technician can dazzle you with their prowess but it is often misplaced and not applied musically. An entertainer is someone that visually holds your attention with their passion and conviction while performing. A musician knows how to apply the first two qualities tastefully and play for the group and not themselves.”
Charlie is a seasoned veteran when it comes to performing. A child prodigy, he has played drums since the age of 5 and performed professionally since the age of 15. He studied with and became the protégé of jazz drumming legend Ray Bauduc Charlie went on to study with classical percussionist Tim Tull.
In addition to leading his own band he has shared the stage with such luminaries as Woody Herman, Freddie Green, Stan Mark, Kirk Whalum, Larry Coryell, Read more
On his own, he leads a dynamic 10-piece ensemble ”Charlie Harrington and the Jazz Express™” combining the sound and force of a big band with the intimacy and interplay of a small group. The result is a group dedicated to performing unique music ranging from straight-ahead to classic to mainstream to swing, all with jaw-dropping musicianship. "The world doesn't need another good band, it needs something unforgettable, spectacular, and amazing that brings a new audience to this incredible art form," says Charlie. The ensemble has earned a reputation of showcasing accomplished, dedicated musicians. The group has thrilled and entertained appreciative audiences across the U.S. as well as internationally. They draw crowds whenever they perform with their unique style and signature sound.
In addition to his time studying with jazz drumming legend Ray Bauduc, he has taken master classes with Ed Soph, Louie Bellson, Jack DeJohnette, Donny Osborne, Johnny Rabb, Clayton Cameron, Butch Miles, Steve Smith, Joe Morello, Jeff Hamilton, Bill Stewart, Steve Gadd, Billy Cobham, Jeff Tain Watts, Peter Erskine, and Ed Shaughnessy. His drumming influences include Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, Ed Shaughnessy, Joe Morello, and Peter Erskine.
Charlie Harrington continues to build a body of work that makes him one of the finest drummers of this or any generation.
Gear
Charlie Harrington exclusively plays Vater sticks, mallets, beaters, and brushes. He endorses Allegra Drums, Remo Drum Heads, Sabian Cymbals, Beato Bags, Power Wrist Builders, ProLogix Percussion, DrumDial Precision Drum Tuner, Audix Microphones, and Westone in-ear musicians' monitors and custom fit musician earplugs.
Show less
Tags
Take Five With Charlie Harrington
by AAJ Staff
Meet Charlie Harrington: The consummate Charlie Harrington has been playing drums since the age of five and has played professionally since the age of 15. He studied with Ray Bauduc for two years and later with Tim Tull and went on to finish First Place in the Slingerland/Louie Bellson National Drum Contest. Additionally, Charlie is the recipient of the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award. He has also taken master classes with Ed Soph, Louie Bellson, Donny Osborne, ...
Continue ReadingJazz Musician of the Day: Charlie Harrington
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Charlie Harrington's birthday today! A child prodigy, Charlie has played drums since the age of 5 and performed professionally since the age of 15. He studied with and became the protégé of jazz drumming legend Ray Bauduc Charlie later studied with classical percussionist Tim Tull. In addition to leading his own band he has shared the stage with such luminaries as Woody Herman, Freddie Green, Stan Mark... Read more. Place our Musician of the Day ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Charlie Harrington
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Charlie Harrington's birthday today!
A child prodigy, Charlie Harrington has played drums since the age of 5 and has performed professionally since the age of 15. He studied with and became the protege of jazz drumming legend Ray Bauduc. Charlie later studied with classical percussionist Tim Tull. In addition to leading his own band, Charlie Harrington and the Jazz Express, he has shared the stage with such luminaries as Woody Herman... Read more.
Place our ...
read more
Charlie Harrington Now Allegra Drums Artist
Source:
Charlie Harrington
Award-Winning Acclaimed Artist, Charlie Harrington, has signed withAllegra Drums. He is an in demand session musician with a well-established reputation as a first call drummer. Charlie joins, among others, country drumming veteran Ric McClure, James Brown funk drummer Erik Hargrove, Spyro Gyra alumn Tom Walsh, as well as jazz drumming and Motown great Mel Brown, in endorsing Allegra Drums. Allegra Drum Crafters was founded in 1996 by Dave Peterson in Portland Oregon. The company enjoys a state of the art ...
read more
Charlie Harrington Endorses DrumDial Precision Tuner
Source:
Charlie Harrington
Award-Winning Acclaimed Artist, Charlie Harrington, is now a DrumDial Endorser. He is an in demand session player with a well-established reputation as a first call drummer. Charlie joins, among others, jazz drumming great Peter Erskine in endorsing the DrumDial Precision Drum Tuner. Since it was first introduced over a decade ago, thousands of drummers have been using the DrumDial precision drum tuner to achieve fast and accurate tuning. Now, with the development of the upgraded digital model, DrumDial has become ...
read more
Charlie Harrington Named Invitational Judge For Drum Off Competition
Source:
Charlie Harrington
Award-Winning Acclaimed Artist, Charlie Harrington, has accepted an invitation to judge Guitar Center's 2012 Drum Off Competition. Charlie, an active touring and session drummer, is in high demand not only as a performer but as an educator as well. He has shared the stage with jazz legends such as Woody Herman, Freddie Green, Kirk Whalum, Larry Coryell, Kurt Elling, John Scofield, Barbra Streisand, Dave Brubeck, Richie Cole, Tony Bennett, Ira Sullivan, Carly Simon, Ari Brown, Junko Onishi, and Eddie “Cleanhead" ...
read more
Charlie Harrington Signs With Prologix Percussion
Source:
Charlie Harrington
Award-Winning Acclaimed Artist, Charlie Harrington, has signed with ProLogix Percussion. Charlie, an in demand session player with a well-established reputation as a first call drummer, is proud to endorse the superior products offered by ProLogix. ProLogix is the revolutionary practice pad manufacturer of the world drumming industry. ProLogix guarantees their practice products to be of higher quality and craftsmanship than all other leading practice pad manufacturers. ProLogix practice products are guaranteed against any material defects in craftsmanship during the manufacturing ...
read more
Charlie Harrington Signs With Power Wristbuilders
Source:
Charlie Harrington
Award-Winning Acclaimed Artist, Charlie Harrington, has signed with POWER Wrist Builders. Charlie, an in demand session player with a well-established reputation as a first call drummer, is proud to endorse the fine quality products offered by POWER Wrist Builders. POWER Wrist Builders began operations in 1990 by the creator and designer, Terry A. Loose. POWER Wrist Builders are solid aluminum and solid brass drum sticks that weigh 2 ounces (70 grams) to 28 ounces (795 grams). When POWER Wrist Builders ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Charlie Harrington
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Charlie Harrington's birthday today!
The Consummate Charlie Harrington has played drums since the age of 5 and has performed professionally since the age of 15. He studied with and became the protege of jazz drumming legend Ray Bauduc. Charlie later studied with classical percussionist Tim Tull. A child prodigy, Charlie has shared the stage with such luminaries as Woody Herman, Freddie Green, Stan Mark, Kirk Whalum... Read more.
Place our Musician of the Day widget ...
read more
Charlie Harrington Signs With Tempus Drums
Source:
Charlie Harrington
Award-Winning Acclaimed Artist, Charlie Harrington, has signed with Tempus Drums. Charlie, an in demand session player with a well-established reputation as a first call drummer, is proud to endorse the fine quality products offered by Tempus Drums. Tempus Drums started out in 1973 as Milestone Drums in Vancouver, Canada, at the height of the synthetic shell craze of the early '70s. Paul Mason acquired the company and renamed it Tempus in 1985. Tempus offers snares and complete kits to order ...
read more
Charlie Harrington named as Invitational Judge
Source:
Charlie Harrington
Award-Winning acclaimed artist, Charlie Harrington, has accepted an invitation to judge the Guitar Center's 2011 Drum Off Competition. Charlie, a child prodigy and former student and protege of jazz drumming legend Ray Bauduc, has shared the stage with such luminaries as Woody Herman, Kirk Whalum, Larry Coryell, Tony Bennett, Ira Sullivan, Ari Brown, and Richie Cole. He is well known for his dedication and commitment to education and is a member of the Vic Firth Education Team, the Percussive Arts ...
read more
"He's the real deal..." Ray Bauduc
"Swing!..." Freddie Green
"Reminds me of a young Davey Tough..." Woody Herman
"Great sense of rhythm and phrasing..." Ed Shaughnessy
"A jazz master and a real treasure who should not be missed." Time Out New York
"...based out of Chicago he's worth seeing whenever he ventures to town. Be ready to experience brilliance and artistry on a level not often heard these days." Brooklyn Free Press
"If avante-garde or experimental jazz is what you seek he's not what you're looking for
Primary Instrument
Drums
Location
Chicago
Willing to teach
Intermediate to advanced
Credentials/Background
Charlie continues to impart his knowledge to drummers
everywhere. He is a member of the Professional Drum
Teachers Guild, the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), and
the National Association of Rudimental Drummers (NARD).
Charlie is also a member of the Jazz Education Network (JEN).
In addition to his time studying with jazz drumming legend Ray Bauduc, he has taken master classes with Ed Soph, Louie
Bellson, Jack DeJohnette, Donny Osborne, Johnny Rabb, Clayton Cameron, Butch Miles, Steve Smith, Joe Morello, Jeff Hamilton,
Bill Stewart, Steve Gadd, Billy Cobham, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Peter Erskine, and Ed Shaughnessy. His lessons are guaranteed to
accompany a healthy dose of wisdom as passed on to him by these giants of the drumming world. (Note, minimum age is 18).
Private lessons, clinics, and master classes are available by appointment only. Charlie teaches well-established and
contemporary drumming techniques. His many years as an educator allows him to communicate and teach students effectively
on a variety of subjects, while his professional experiences as a first call studio and touring musician provides insight to the
music business. An abbreviated list of subjects covered:
• Technique
• Rudiments
• Stylistic Interpretation
• Style, Groove, and Feel
• Genres and History
• Kicks, Fills, and Set-Ups
• Improvisation
• Building/Resolving Tension
• Stage Presence
• Independence (Interdependence)
• Soloing
• Finger Control
• Wrist Control
• Bass Drum Control
• Expanding Your Vocabulary
• Personal, Artistic, and Professional Goals
• Business and Career Options
Charlie accepts a limited number of select motivated, serious intermediate and advanced private students in the Chicago area.
Clinic/Workshop Information
Cat Anderson
trumpet
Count Basie
piano
Ray Bauduc
drums
Louie Bellson
drums
Ed Shaughnessy
drums
Ray Charles
piano and vocals
Louis Jordan
saxophone, alto
Butch Miles
drums
