Charles Fambrough (August 25, 1950January 1, 2011) was an American jazz bassist, composer, and record producerKarl Stark, "Musician Refashions Career As A Producer He Helps Others Record Their Jazz", Philly.com, August 27, 1995. from Philadelphia.
Having played together in a previous cover band, Fambrough joined Grover Washington Jr.'s band in 1970. Five years later, he transferred to Airto Moreira's band. After two years with Moreira, he joined up with McCoy Tyner to become anchor of Tyner's band, until 1982, when he joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers whom with he performed during the early 1980s. When trumpeter Wynton Marsalis left the Jazz Messengers to form his own band, Fambrough followed him.
In the liner notes of his 1991 album The Proper Angle, Fambrough mentions the lessons he learned from McCoy Tyner and Art Blakey. The latter taught him to play behind a horn player and within a rhythm section.
Suffering from kidney failure, congestive heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension, he died on January 1, 2011, at the age of 60.
Discography As leader Release yearAlbumPersonnelLabel1991The Proper AngleSteve Berrios, Mini Cinelu, Joe Ford, Jerry González, Roy Hargrove, Kenny Kirkland, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Jeff "Tain" WattsCTI1992The CharmerRoy Hargrove, Kenny Garrett, Abdullah Ibrahim, Stephen Scott, Billy DrummondCTI1993 Blues at Bradley'sDonald Harrison, Joe Ford, Steve Turre, Bill O'Connell, Bobby Broom, Ricky Sebastian, Steve BerriosCTI1995 City TribesCraig Handy, John Swana, Bill O'Connell, Ricky Sebsastian, Marlon Simon, Cafe, Dave ValentinEvidence1994Keeper of the SpiritJohn Swana, Ralph Bowen, Grover Washington Jr.AudioQuest1996Impressions of JazzEric MintelJazz Lions1997Upright CitizenGrover Washington Jr., Gerald Albright, George Duke, Alex Bugnon, Jon LucienNuGroove2002Live at Zansibar BlueBill O'Connell, Joe Ford, Sean Jones, Wilby Fletcher, Lenny White, Roland GuerreroRandom Chance2003StoneJazzMark Kramer, Lenny White, Mulgrew Miller, Steve Johns, Ralph Peterson, George ColliganLightYear
As sideman With Kei Akagi Mirror Puzzle (1994) With Art Blakey Live at Montreux and Northsea (Timeless, 1980) Art Blakey in Sweden (Amigo, 1981) Album of the Year (Timeless, 1981) Straight Ahead (Concord Jazz, 1981) Killer Joe (Union Jazz, 1981) - with George Kawaguchi Keystone 3 (Concord Jazz, 1982) Oh-By the Way (Timeless, 1982) With Craig Handy Introducing Three for All + One (Arabesque, 1993) With Roy Hargrove
Diamond in the Rough (Novus/RCA, 1990)
With Wynton Marsalis Fathers and Sons (1982) Wynton Marsalis (Columbia, 1982) With Eric Mintel Impressions of Jazz (Jazz Lions, 1996) With Pharoah Sanders Crescent with Love (Venus, 1992) With McCoy Tyner Focal Point (1976) The Greeting (1978) Horizon (1979) With Roland Kirk Boogie-Woogie String Along for Real (1977)
References
External links
Charles Fambrough Obituary at The Philadelphia Sunday Sun Obituary at The Philadelphia Inquirer Additional biographical material at The Philadelphia Inquirer