Charlie Hunter

[mjzee]

There was hardly room to shoehorn in another Charlie Hunter fan at Rose, a club in the Williamsburg neighborhood here, on a recent Tuesday night. On the tiny stage, Curtis Fowlkes, on trombone, leaned against a sidewall as he played, and drummer Eric Kalb was tucked in back with his kit. Mr. Hunter sat downstage in front of his amp, playing bass as well as melody and rhythm on his seven-string guitar, doing two jobs at once as if in deference to the crowded conditions.

The trio offered songs from Mr. Hunter's new album, "Gentlemen, I Neglected to Inform You You Will Not Be Getting Paid" (Spire Artist), which takes its name from a confession uttered by an employer whom Mr. Hunter, when we spoke at the bar before the show, declined to name but described as a notable veteran band leader. This disc, Mr. Hunter's 17th solo album, represents another twist in the 42-year-old's career. He and Mr. Kalb constitute the rhythm section; Mr. Fowlkes— who's played with Charlie Haden, Henry Threadgill, John Zorn and many others—is joined by Alan Ferber on trombone and Eric Biondo on trumpet. Thus, Mr. Hunter is backed only by brass and percussion on nine new compositions that dip into funk, R&B and soul. As he ate a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, I asked him to name the influences for his new music. He replied, "Albert King, Wes Montgomery, Philly Joe Jones, Milt Hinton, Ray Brown, James Jamerson, Booker T, the Meters, Clyde Stubblefield." That's a small list, he added.

More here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704500104574651030988931724.html

[kh1958]

He's someone I was initially kind of lukewarm about, but when I saw him a couple of months ago, it seemed as if he's developed to the point where he's rather good now.

[mjzee]

I like a lot of Charlie Hunter. Have you ever heard this?

[kh1958]

Yes, I have that one.

[Jim Alfredson]

My favorites:

I like Hunter a lot. I think he's constantly pushing and I respect that. It doesn't always work, but when it does there is some fantastic music made.

[WorldB3]

Before he moved to NY I use to see him play quite frequently at the Elbow Room and other small venues here in SF. I don't pick up everything he puts out but I am looking forward to getting his new one. I like idea of it being recorded live in the studio with a mono mix.

[mjzee]

Two more that are really good:

[JSngry]

The man's got stories of his own. Much props to and for that.