Despite Millennial ramblings regarding pop music and the sax, as the hourglass turns and the‘ 90s( which were modeled after the‘ 70s) returns, a resurgence of saxophone playing and funk music is gaining fervor, he says,“ With bands like Lettuce and the very creative and jazzy / funky sounding Snarky Puppy.”
The saxophone itself has had a varied history. Intended for those marching to war, it gained popularity through jazz music at scandalous speakeasys; rolled with the rock at sock hops; and has been the cornerstone instrument to swing, funk, soul, blues, and sometime R & B for almost 60 years.
Instrument modifications have broadened the range and enhanced the saxophone. Charles has played all the recognizable types of sax, from the smallest( Sopranino) to the largest( Baritone)- everything except the“ monstrous fart machine,” the Contrabass saxophone. Coming in at 6’ 4” and 45 pounds, the Contrabass is gaining resurgence in spite of the high price tag( around $ 25,000).
As for technical advancements, the music industry has not been able to replace big band instruments.
“ There is no digital sound machine that can faithfully recreate the sound of a sax. Just about any other instrument can be duplicated, but the saxophone is so unique in its sound across its range. The low notes are utterly different from the high notes, in other words. You can’ t just use the same sound from high to low.”
The saxophone is here to stay, and so is“ The Chosen One: Charles Swanson.”“ I’ m a Spokane boy. My love has always been here.” Having played Pig Out in the Park every Labor Day weekend for the past 25 years, you will find him there yet again, perhaps before the gig, with his favorite Pig Out treat: Sonnenberg’ s Sausage Sandwich.
Across the Galactic Inland Empire this summer, Charles may tour area blues festivals with a band he was in negotiations with at time of press.
July 6th, The Stepbrothers play in the Coeur d’ Alene Summer Concert Series. July 8th, The Stepbrothers play the Wallace Blues Festival. July 12th, The Stepbrothers play the Live After Five Concert Series in downtown Coeur d’ Alene. September 3rd, The Stepbrothers play Pig Out in the Park and Charles has been asked to play with the Spokane All Stars for Pig Out as well.
Charles is also planning to go into the recording studio to produce a CD.“ I started with not enough usable material, to having enough for two or three CDs. I’ d also like to do a Christmas album, but that would mainly be for my kids.” How does one write about a man who needs no introduction? That was an impossible feat. The five-time winner of the Inland Empire Blues Society“ Best Instrumentalist” award, his notoriety and experience cannot be summed up into a single article or the Jedi archives. To grasp the personality that is Charles, I suggest that you introduce yourself and hear the stories of an extraordinary and enviable career.
34 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE