Saxophone – Flute – Clarinet Lessons in Leominster

Charles Langford - That's Wassup
2008 Grammy Nominee

City Music is happy to announce that the talented Charles ‘Chuck’ Langford will be teaching in our Leominster Lesson Studios.  Chuck has a limited number of openings on Tuesday evenings in Leominster, and welcomes players of saxophone, flute, or clarinet.  Get an edge in your band or ensemble – or pick up an old musical interest.  Now is your chance to learn from an acclaimed Grammy nominee in Leominster.  Is Gardner more convenient for you?  Chuck offers lessons on Wednesdays at City Music’s Lesson Studios in Gardner. 

Originally from Texarkana, TX, by way of Springfield, MA, Charles L began playing saxophone at the age of nine. Coming out of a musically rich and diverse town, which spawned artists such as Phil Woods, Taj Majal and Avery Sharpe, Charles began his musical training at home with his mother, classical vocalist Mary L. Prior to reading music, with the instruction of Mary, Charles learned his favorite saxophone solos note for note, starting with Paul Desmond’s solo from “A Bridge over Troubled Water.” He began studying with Harvey LaRose, Phil Wood’s saxophone teacher, at 10.

Charles Langford
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Charles began playing saxophone professionally at 13. Two years later, Charles Majeed Greenlee, Dizzy Gillespie’s trombonist and the husband of John Coltrane’s cousin Mary, became one of Charles’ first mentors. From that point, Charles began sitting in at every opportunity with one of his most influential teachers, Archie Shepp. Charles also spent countless hours listening to the musicians who would become profound influences on his musical growth such as Grover Washington Jr., David Sanborn, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Kenny G, Michael Brecker, Stan Getz, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis.

After high school, Charles studied music at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with teachers Max Roach, Yusef Lateef, Archie Shepp and Lynn Klock. He then went to Houston, where he opened for George Benson. Charles continued his musical study in New York City, attending The New School. He lived in New York for four years, playing with Melvin Spark’s, Norman Connors, The Temptations, Hilton Ruiz and Joe Farnsworth while studying with Barry Harris, Donald Byrd and Billy Harper. Charles was then afforded the opportunity to study privately with the great George Coleman.

Since completing his formal education, Charles has toured world wide with artists The Temptations, Solomon Burke, Mighty Sam McClain and Toni Lynn Washington.  He has performed for President Obama, and Charles’ CD ‘That’s Wassup’ released in 2008, was nominated for a Grammy.

Charles enjoys sharing his gift of playing saxophone, and the extraordinary education he has received, with students of all ages.

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