As I strolled in through the back, you can hear the jazz escaping through the crevices in the door like it was light emanating behind a door on a Steven King novel. I opened it up and BAM! I was smacked by the power of the sound, instantly immersed in the rich pallet of africa blue.

Charles Owens delivering sweet, powerful and lovely tones from his array of horns. Charles knows how to put a gang of hard hitting cats together as well. The Littleton brothers in the rhythm, and yes the pun is intended! Donald Vega playing so masterfully on piano, Ray Armando on percussion and on Alto, Soprano and Bass Clarinet, the master horn player himself Charles Owens.

Charles Owens is one of the most fascinating, humble, kind and funny as hell musicians that you are ever going to meet. A man of honor and integrity when it comes to his passion for his music and for his audience and fellow musicians. The band was on fire with afro picante sauce all over the place burning up tunes like Afro-Blue and Sugar all over the place! Donald Vega played a beautiful solo version of "You Must Believe in spring" and I looked at my girl and gave her a big KISS!

The latest disc by Charles is called "Let Me into Your Heart" which is something you can't help but do when you hear him play live. Chet Hanley of the television show "Jazz in the Modern Era" dropped by to check out the music and said that Charles Owens will be a guest on his show sometime in September. I will also be a guest on Chet's show sometime in October and of course, I will let you know!

Make sure to get out and see Charles Owens when he plays next in town. You will leave a new person!

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