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Charnett Moffett

Presented by Scullers Jazz Club at Scullers Jazz Club

August 12, 2009

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Throughout his 25 years on the scene, Charnett Moffett has been a man on a mission. As he states, "I'm trying to bring people together on the planet through music. That's part of my calling here in life." That sentiment, coupled with his extraordinary virtuosity on the bass, has resulted in a string of superb outings as a leader, as well significant contributions to stellar recordings by such jazz luminaries as Ornette Coleman, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock and Wynton Marsalis. On 'The Art of Improvisation,' his 10th as a leader, Moffett explores his creative muse with a pure, free-spirited approach on his three chosen instruments -- upright bass, fretless electric bass guitar and piccolo bass. "Each is a separate voice," explains the innovative, multi-directional bassist and prolific composer. "And when I incorporate the bow or a wah-wah or distortion effects, I can channel even more voices."

Moffett is joined by different special guests from track to track throughout “The Art Of Improvisation,” including drummers Will Calhoun and Eric McPherson, keyboardist Scott Brown, guitarists Pat Jones and Steve Barnes and trumpeter Robert Joseph Avalon. Angela Moffett appears on the stirring rendition of "Dreams," reciting the inspiring words of poet Langston Hughes. His son, Charnett Max Moffett, also appears on drums on "Dreams" while the father-son duo is showcased on "Swing Rock" and on the dynamic closer, an electrifying, Hendrix-inspired interpretation of "The Star Spangled Banner."

Born on June 10, 1967, Charnett's name is a contraction of his father's name (jazz drummer Charles Moffett) and jazz icon Ornette Coleman (whom Charles Moffett played with from 1965-1967). As a child prodigy he started playing bass in the Moffett Family Band at the age of seven and appears on their 1974 self-titled recording LRS Records. One year later he toured Japan with the Moffett Family Band. "Growing up in a musical family has been quite an experience," says Charnett. "My first teacher was my dad. He shared the gift of music with all of us kids. My first instrument was drums, then trumpet, and by age eight I found myself playing the bass with the Moffett Family Band on a tour to the Far East. And it's been an incredible journey since then."

Charnett attended Fiorello H. La Guardia H. S. for the Music and Arts in New York City and later studied at Mannes College of Music and the Juilliard School of Music. In 1983, he played on Branford Marsalis' debut as a leader, “Scenes in the City,” and the following year he joined the Wynton Marsalis quintet, appearing on 1985's acclaimed “Black Codes” (From the Underground). During the '80s, he also worked with Stanley Jordan, appearing on the innovative guitarist's 1985 Blue Note debut, “Magic Touch,” as well as with the Manhattan Jazz Quintet and legendary drummer Tony Williams, appearing on two of the late great drummer's Blue Note recordings, 1987's Civilization and 1988's “Angel Street.” In 1987, Moffett signed with Blue Note Records and debuted as a leader that year with ‘Beauty Within,” which featured his father Charles on drums, older brothers Codaryl on drums and Mondre on trumpet, Kenny Garrett on alto sax and Stanley Jordan on guitar. He followed that up with 1988's ‘Net Man,” featuring Michael Brecker, Al Foster, Kenny Drew Jr. and Jordan and in 1991 with “Nettwork,” his swan song for the label.

In 1993, Charnett recorded “Rhythm & Blood” for Sweet Basil's Apollon Records. A savvy mix of jazz and pop, it placed high on the music charts in Japan that year. Moffett would subsequently score artistic triumphs on the Evidence label with 1994's “Planet Home” (which featured his audacious, electronically enhanced rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" in tribute to Jimi Hendrix's Woodstock showstopper) and 1997's “Still Life” featuring keyboardist Rachel Z and drummer Cindy Blackman. In 1996, Moffett appeared on two simultaneous releases by Ornette Coleman's Sound Museum – “Hidden Man” and “Three Women.” Another 1997 recording, “Acoustic Trio” for Teichiku Records, showcased Charnett's innovative acoustic bass playing. Three other '90s recordings for the Sweet Basil/Evidence label were done under the collective name of General Music Project and featured former Miles Davis alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett, pianists Geri Allen and Cyrus Chestnut and father Charles Sr., who passed away before the group could tour together. Another Charnett recording from 1995, “Moffett & Sons,” is a collaboration father Charles that also includes appearances from pianist James Williams, saxophonists David Sanchez, Joshua Redman and Bill Pierce, and trumpeters Wallace Roney and Philip Harper. In 2001, Charnett released a potent trio recording with pianist Mulgrew Miller and drummer Lewis Nash, “Mr. J.P” (a tribute to Jaco Pastorius), for the now-defunct Sweet Basil label in Japan.

In 2003, Charnett played on McCoy Tyner's Telarc recording, “Land of the Giants.” He has also performed and recorded with such jazz greats as Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Frank Lowe, Ellis Marsalis, Mulgrew Miller, Wallace Roney, Pharoah Sanders, Arturo Sandoval, Sonny Sharrock and David Sanborn. He has also performed on various movie soundtracks, including “The Last Boy Scout,” “Glengarry Glen Ross,” “The Visit” and was a featured soloist for “The Score.” In 2004, he released “For The Love Of Peace” on Piadrum Records and followed up in 2006 with Internet on that label. And now comes “The Art Of Improvisation,” his personal manifesto for the bass and one of his most eclectic outings to date. "I'm just trying to be true to form," says Charnett. "All you can do is be who you are anyway, so you might as well go ahead and play all of the music that you enjoy."