Charles Fowlkes


Charles Baker Fowlkes was an American baritone saxophonist who was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra for over twenty-five years.

Early life

Fowlkes was born in New York City on February 16, 1916. He studied alto and tenor saxophone, clarinet, and violin before settling on the baritone saxophone.

Later life and career

Fowlkes spent most of his early career in New York. He played with Tiny Bradshaw, Lionel Hampton, and Arnett Cobb.
Fowlkes joined Basie's orchestra in 1953 and remained with it until his death; the main interruptions during his time with Basie were absences due to managing the career of his wife, vocalist Wini Brown. He died in Dallas on February 9, 1980.

Discography

With The Count Basie Orchestra
With Kenny Clarke
  • Telefunken Blues
;With Buck Clayton
  • The Huckle-Buck and Robbins' Nest
  • How Hi the Fi
  • Jumpin' at the Woodside
  • All the Cats Join In
With Stanley Cowell
  • Regeneration
With Al Grey
  • The Last of the Big Plungers
  • The Thinking Man’s Trombone
With Coleman Hawkins
  • The Saxophone Section
With Milt Jackson
  • Meet Milt Jackson
With Yusef Lateef
  • Part of the Search
With Billy Taylor
With Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson
With Frank Wess'