[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 5, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            ETIENNE CHARLES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 5, 2012

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a young and 
talented jazz trumpeter from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. 
Etienne Charles, in celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month, 
nationally recognized during the month of June.
  Born on the island of Trinidad in 1983, Etienne Charles defies easy 
musical categorization. An alumnus of the prestigious Julliard School, 
Mr. Charles has received critical acclaim for his exciting 
performances, thrilling compositions and a knack for connecting with 
audiences worldwide. Etienne's musical lineage runs at least four 
generations deep: His great-grandfather emigrated to Trinidad from the 
overseas French department of Martinique bringing his folk music to the 
village of Mayaro. The young trumpeter's grandfather's distinct cuarto 
style can be heard on the classic folk and calypso recordings of the 
Growling Tiger; and, Etienne's father was a member of Phase 11 Pan 
Grove, one of Trinidad & Tobago's most progressive steel bands and one 
that Etienne himself would later join. Immersed in his father's vast 
record collection, and suffused with the sounds of calypso, steel pan 
and African Shango drumming, Etienne imbibed many of the influences 
that presently constitute the diverse colors of his harmonic palette.
  Perhaps more than any other musician of his generation or of 
Caribbean origin, Etienne brings a careful study of myriad rhythms from 
the French, Spanish, English and Dutch speaking Caribbean to the table. 
Crucially, this young jazz professional fully understands the New 
Orleans trumpet tradition (which is readily discernible in his 
trademark instrumental swagger) and what the famed Crescent City 
pianist, Jelly Roll Morton so succinctly captured in the now immortal 
phrase, ``The Spanish Tinge''.
  In his latest opus, Kaiso, this Trinidadian trumpet maestro, Etienne 
Charles, cooks up an ambrosial bouillabaisse of New World music genres, 
with jazz and calypso genres standing out as piquant flavors. He 
explores the songbooks of three legends in calypso; The Lord Kitchener, 
The Mighty Sparrow and the Roaring Lion, using many different 
instrumental palettes ranging from duet to chamber orchestra.
  Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize this young 
talent, Mr. Etienne Charles, for the many contributions he brings to 
the nationals of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the world.

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