tag:thecharlesbrooks.com,2005:/blogs/latest-newsLatest News2023-02-23T14:53:53-06:00Charles Brooks, DMAfalsetag:thecharlesbrooks.com,2005:Post/71595092023-02-23T14:53:53-06:002023-10-16T09:49:10-05:00Charles Brooks Holds Stevie Wonder Tribute for Black History Month<p>On Monday, Feb. 27, in The Mane Room at the University of North Alabama, local jazz vibraphonist, percussionist, and entertainment-industry educator Charles Brooks, DMA is back with his group The Charles Brooks Collective to feature an eclectic celebration of the music of Black Americans in this year’s musical tribute to Stevie Wonder.<p></p></p><p>Last year, Brooks featured a <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/0R2OK689L2U"><u>Jimi Hendrix tribute</u></a>, and the show offered a listening experience so intricate and wild, it pretty much blew the eyebrows right off everyone’s face. It was nothing short of musically outstanding, and it left those in attendance wanting more. This year’s tribute promises to raise the bar.<p></p></p><p>“We’ll be presenting multiple styles of music in various formats based on Stevie Wonder’s compositional process,” says Brooks. “For example, most people don’t know he is really a jazzer by nature, because he sold millions of Pop albums. What he did was write his tunes in a way that made them accessible to Pop audiences. He bridged a gap not a lot of artists can bridge.”<p></p></p><p>Brooks further explains how, when you break them down, all of Wonder’s songs are really just jazz tunes with world influence.<p></p></p><p>“You can hear it in the complexity of his chord structures, his melodic development in every tune, his scat solos … all of his songs are jazz influenced, even the reggae and Latin tunes.”<p></p></p><p>But, because they’re in a pop setting, the songs aren’t accentuated the way they normally would be (i.e., with their worldly influence). For example, did you know the song “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” actually has its roots in Latin music? Because it does, but if you’re just listening to the song as a music lover, you’ll hear a Pop tune … unless you’re a seasoned musician with an educated ear for those types of things. <p></p></p><p>This year’s tribute will allow the Collective to take these unaccentuated influences in Wonder’s tunes and really hone in on them. Brooks says they’ll be leaning deep into the roots of the music rather than focusing on the Pop side of things. <p></p></p><p>“We’ll definitely be paying homage to salsa players, so people can expect to hear things like a Latin break in the chorus of a certain song. [Wonder’s] tune ‘Master Blaster’—colloquially known as ‘Jammin’—is really a reggae song, so for that one you’ll feel the reggae beat and hear Justin’s snare drum soaked in delay.” <p></p></p><p>Essentially, The Charles Brooks Collective is just extracting the jazz out of Stevie’s Pop tunes and playing it for audiences to come listen, appreciate, and pay homage to the wonderous talent that is Stevie Wonder. They’ll be gettin’ down on popular tunes like “Lately,” “Superstition,” “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing,” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” to name a few. There’s certainly more beyond those in store, too.<p></p></p><p>“It’s something everyone can come to and enjoy,” adds Brooks. <p></p></p><p>And enjoy you guys will, especially the drum talk. Lots and lots of cleverly improvised drum talk. It’s teasing and exciting … full of rhythmic energy that’ll give you the chills. Brooks says there will be plenty of that to round out the show, because if there’s one thing we all know about jazz, it’s that it’s full of improv. <p></p></p><p>“In jazz, improv is key, so naturally it will be a big part of the show,” Brooks mentions. “People can expect to hear every style of music on Earth written by a Black artist.”<p></p></p><p>The Charles Brooks Collective consists of Shoals-area studio musician and local drummer Justin Holder on drum set, SnO DAe bassist Wes Lloyd on electric bass, and UNA audio engineering professor Dr. Charles Brooks on the jazz vibraphone, synthesizers, and hand drums. <p></p></p><p>The Stevie Wonder Jazz Tribute happens Monday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. in The Mane Room at UNA. The show is free and open to the public. All music listeners and lovers are welcome.<p></p></p><p>For further information on Charles Brooks, DMA and the Stevie Wonder Tribute Show, hop on over to the Facebook <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/506508608168009"><u>Events Page</u></a>. For more on Charles Brooks and his collective, visit <a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.thecharlesbrooks.com/"><u>www.TheCharlesBrooks.com</u></a>. <p></p></p><p> </p><p> <p></p></p>Charles Brooks, DMAtag:thecharlesbrooks.com,2005:Post/66275162021-05-11T10:39:04-05:002022-09-14T10:26:36-05:00Charles Brooks to Play His Final LA Concert<h2 style="text-align: center;">Charles Brooks to Headline Jazz Listening Room Series<br>in His Final LA Show</h2>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/186726/f26e015dd7cf3c712ab1c1bc0966a4bf0a2aa5e7/original/soul-survivor-cbdma.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Louisiana’s favorite four-mallet jazz vibraphonist Dr. Charles Brooks will be headlining and premiering original new music at The Baton Rouge Arts Council’s Jazz Listening Room series on Friday, May 28, in what will be his last show in Louisiana. Dr. Brooks has accepted a tenure-track position at the University of North Alabama. </p>
<p>The Jazz Listening Room is a series of cabaret-style jazz concerts featuring nationally and internationally known acts in the intimate setting of Chorum Hall. Most acts featured in this series showcase an astounding level of talent that can be found locally, regionally, and statewide. Brooks is known for his innovative four-mallet vibraphone techniques as he works his improv magic through effects pedals, entertaining and wowing music lovers alike. Joining him in his last LA performance will be local talents Michael Foster and Chris “The Katt” Lee, both of The Michael Foster Project, as well as guest jazz guitarist Scott Hall of Nashville, TN. </p>
<p>The concert will take place on the outdoors patio of Chorum Hall, located between N Ardenwood and Lobdell on Executive Park Drive. Masks and social distancing are required to attend these performances. Tickets are limited and currently are on sale at <a contents="www.BonTempsTix.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bontempstix.com/events/the-jazz-listing-room-featuring-dr-charles-brooks-5-28-2021" target="_blank">www.BonTempsTix.com</a>.</p>
<p>Charles Brooks is a professional vibraphonist, percussionist, hand drummer, pianist, clinician, composer, and college educator in Baton Rouge. In April 2019, he started the weekly live-streaming music series Friday Night Vibes, which he plans to continue holding. All previous and current FNV shows are available online at www.TheCharlesBrooks.com/friday-night-vibes. Come August 2021, he will be the new Asst. Professor of Audio Engineering at the University of North Alabama in the Muscle Shoals area. Dr. Brooks has been running the audio engineering department at Baton Rouge Community College and mentoring budding musicians and recording artists since 2008. </p>
<p>Come show some love and enjoy the experience!</p>Charles Brooks, DMAtag:thecharlesbrooks.com,2005:Post/66163072021-04-28T14:03:55-05:002022-03-08T04:18:52-06:00April 28, 2021 - Dr. Brooks Officially Named New Audio Professor at University of North Alabama<p><span class="font_small"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/186726/d073d26c10b5f20e6d5c9137ebbc4121b5336bc7/original/d3fa29c2-6c01-4420-87e8-1929da27119c.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_small">It is with extreme joy that Dr. Charles Brooks announces his acceptance of his new academic position with the University of North Alabama in the Muscle Shoals area. Come August 2021, he will be the new Assistant Professor of Audio Engineering in the Entertainment Industry department at UNA (Geaux Lions!).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 0.8em;">Said UNA communications, "The Department of Entertainment Industries is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Charles Brooks as an Asst. Professor [to our entertainment department] ... he will be teaching the following entertainment courses this fall: Audio in Multimedia, Survey of Audio Recording, and Survey of Music Industry. We look forward to having him as part of our team."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 0.8em;">Brooks is currently wrapping up his final semester at Baton Rouge Community College and putting finishing touches on his fourth solo album, <em>Soul Survivor</em>, set to release early this summer. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 0.8em;">"I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to educate and mentor so many bright students over the years," said Brooks. "I'm hopeful for what the future holds, and I look forward to everything UNA and the Muscle Shoals area has to offer. My wife and I couldn't be more excited for this next step."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 0.8em;">Currently you can catch Dr. Brooks LIVE every Friday night as he streams his weekly jazz concert series <strong><a contents="Friday Night Vibes" data-link-label="friday night vibes" data-link-type="page" href="/friday-night-vibes" target="_blank">Friday Night Vibes</a> </strong>at 8 p.m. CST on social media platforms, as well as through his website, www.TheCharlesBrooks.com/friday-night-vibes. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><u><strong>AND</strong></u>, you'll have a <u><strong>huge</strong></u> chance to see Brooks perform LIVE, in person, on Friday, May 28, 7:30 p.m. as part of the Greater Baton Rouge Arts Council's Jazz Listening Room series. This show will take place outdoors on the patio of Chorum Hall, and masks and social distancing will be required to attend. May 28 will be a slammin' once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the south's premiere four-mallet jazz vibraphonist working his magic through FX pedals as he rocks the funk out with Michael Foster of the MFP on stand-up bass, Chris "The Katt" Lee on drums, yours truly on vibraphone, and two very special guest musicians from Nashville, TN. This show is GUARANTEED to rock any COVID memories right out of your bones and replace it all with spectacular music and magic in the air. So mark your calendars! This show WILL NOT be streaming. It is in person, ticket sales only.<br>Seating IS limited and tickets will go fast.<br><span style="color:#c0392b;">GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY HERE: https://bontempstix.com/events/the-jazz-listing-room-featuring-dr-charles-brooks-5-28-2021</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="color:#000000;">Be sure to stop by and leave Dr. Brooks some comments on his blog or any of his social media pages!<br>Then come celebrate the magic of music with us on May 28! </span><br><br><span style="color:#3498db;"><em>As always, BE EXCELLENT TO EACH OTHER, and everybody love everybody. ( -Dr. B)</em></span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Charles Brooks, DMAtag:thecharlesbrooks.com,2005:Post/65815582021-03-22T14:32:41-05:002021-11-02T12:28:52-05:00March 22, 2021 - Brooks to Perform at Chorum Hall This Friday<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/186726/f70bc4476a1ea823b2b233400c5cabc8b5f358c8/original/chorum-hall-mpf.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>This Friday, March 26, 2021 / 7:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Don't miss Charles Brooks on vibraphone with the Michael Foster Quartet, LIVE at Chorum Hall on the patio. Tickets are going fast, so be sure to grab yours before they're gone! <a contents="BUY TIX HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bontempstix.com/events/the-jazz-listening-room-featuring-the-michael-foster-quartet-3-26-2021" target="_blank">BUY TIX HERE</a></p>
<p>Guaranteed to be groovy, jazzy, funky, and just downright entertaining, so come hang out with out and show these artists some love!</p>Charles Brooks, DMAtag:thecharlesbrooks.com,2005:Post/63463642020-06-08T12:34:37-05:002021-11-02T12:36:19-05:00Brooks to Perform for RepCap Media's Remote Talent Series<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/186726/a8dd9bbcb95bc26036f45e4715dd49be4b315444/original/remote-talent.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />BATON ROUGE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </p>
<p>Louisiana’s favorite four-mallet jazz vibraphonist Dr. Charles Brooks will be performing TWO live remote shows this Friday, June 12, 2020. Both shows will stream live on Facebook and Instagram and will be immediately accessible via his website as soon as streaming ends. In an atmosphere full of southern ambiance, Brooks offers more than just music to listeners; he brings physical visual entertainment as well by showcasing those wildly innovative, multi-mallet improvisational vibraphone techniques for which he is known. </p>
<p>Starting at 2 p.m., Brooks will perform a live 45-minute set featuring the jazz vibraphone, the drum set, and various other percussive instruments for RepCap Media’s Remote Talent series. The concert will stream live on RepCap Media’s Facebook page @RepCapitalMedia, as well as on Brooks’s artist Facebook page @thecharlesbrooksmusic and his Instagram @cbreezington. That evening at 8 p.m., Brooks will perform again for his 11th installment of his own free live-streaming concert series, Friday Night Vibes. Set lists include Charles Brooks originals, popular jazz classics and standards, and vibraphonic interpretations of your favorite classic rock, blues, and funk tunes. Previous shows have included Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pink Floyd, Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Alice in Chains, Bob Marley, Bill Withers, and Prince, to name a few. </p>
<p>For the past 10 weeks, Brooks has performed a live vibraphone show for the public that streams directly to his artist Facebook and Instagram pages. All of those shows are available for playback through his website at www.TheCharlesBrooks.com/friday-night-vibes. </p>
<p>“I’m a musician because I genuinely love music. I love playing music, and I care about how it reaches and affects people. When this quarantine happened and so many lost their jobs, I knew people needed a release. My hope is that by providing a live show centered around relieving stress with the sonorous textures of the vibraphone, and by working with tunes everyone knows, that we can all still connect together even if we can’t be together,” said Brooks. “I started this series April 3rd and have no plans to discontinue it, even when the quarantine is lifted and life settles into some sort of normalcy again. Then at that point, I’d love to continue the series from local public and music venues.”</p>Charles Brooks, DMAtag:thecharlesbrooks.com,2005:Post/63312672020-05-26T18:29:13-05:002021-12-07T11:15:04-06:00Charles Brooks, DMA Entertaining Masses with Weekly Quarantine Live Music Series<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/186726/728a02b25678996a032c55ee860f83498a3b621a/original/cbpromo.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p>
<p>BATON ROUGE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </p>
<p>Louisiana’s favorite four-mallet jazz vibraphonist Dr. Charles Brooks is bringing weekly live music entertainment to the masses with his Friday Night Vibes music series. Each Friday night at 8:00 p.m. Brooks livestreams a one-hour concert on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Periscope from his music dojo in Central, LA. In an atmosphere full of southern ambiance, Brooks offers more than just music to listeners; he brings physical visual entertainment as well by showcasing those wildly innovative, multi-mallet improvisational vibraphone techniques for which he is known. </p>
<p>Set lists include but are not limited to Charles Brooks originals, popular jazz classics and standards like “What A Wonderful World,” “Bye Bye Blackbird,” “Girl from Impanema,” and “In A Sentimental Mood,” for example, as well as vibraphonic interpretations of your favorite classic rock, blues, and funk tunes. Previous shows have included Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Alice in Chains, Jim Croce, Bob Marley, Styx, The Allman Brothers, Bill Withers, and Prince, to name a few, and the tributes don’t end there. If you listen closely, you just might hear music from some of your favorite movies of the 80s and 90s. Each concert features different tunes interpreted on the vibraphone, and there is no fee to tune in live and watch the show. All that is required is an internet signal and plenty of LIKES, comments, shares, and love! </p>
<p>“I’m a musician because I genuinely love music. I love playing music, and I care about how it reaches and affects people. When this quarantine happened and so many lost their jobs, I knew people needed a release. My hope is that by providing a live show centered around relieving stress with the sonorous textures of the vibraphone and by working with tunes everyone knows, that we can all still connect together even if we can’t be together,” said Brooks. “I started this series April 3rd and have no plans to discontinue it, even when the quarantine is lifted and life settles into some sort of normalcy again. Then at that point, I’d love to continue the series from local public and music venues.” </p>
<p>Friday Night Vibes continues every Friday night at 8:00 p.m. CST. Shows stream live on Facebook @thecharlesbrooksmusic, on Instagram, and on Twitter and Periscope.tv @theCBDMA. Previous Friday Night Vibes shows can be found online at www.TheCharlesBrooks.com/friday-night-vibes.</p>
<p> </p>Charles Brooks, DMAtag:thecharlesbrooks.com,2005:Post/58746422019-08-29T17:54:22-05:002022-07-30T05:35:33-05:00Brooks's Vibraphone Dissertation Selected for Inclusion in PAS Research Archives<p>This week, the international Percussive Arts Society selected Charles Brooks, DMA's vibraphone dissertation for inclusion in their research archives. Brooks's dissertation, "An Analytical Approach to Vibraphone Performance through the Transcription and Analysis of Gary Burton's Solo on 'Blue Monk,'" is one of only four vibraphone dissertations listed on their website. The dissertation can be viewed at www.PAS.org/resources/research under Keyboard Percussion, but please note that in order to view his work, you must be a member of PAS.</p>
<p> </p>Charles Brooks, DMA