Charles Gayle
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Charles Gayle (born February 28, 1939) is a free jazz saxophonist and pianist. He lives in New York.
Some of Gayle's history is unclear. He was apparently homeless for roughly 20 years, playing saxophone on street corners and subway platforms around New York City. In 1988, he gained fame through a trio of albums recorded by a Swedish label, Silkheart. Since then he has become a major figure in free jazz, recording for labels including Knitting Factory Records and FMP. He has also taught music theory at Bennington College.
Gayle's music is spiritual, and heavily inspired by the Old and New Testaments. He has explicitly dedicated several albums to God. His childhood was influenced by religion, and his musical roots trace to black gospel music. After his church experiences, Gayle credits among his influences John Coltrane, Albert Ayler, Thelonious Monk, and Art Tatum. He has performed and recorded with Cecil Taylor, William Parker, and Rashied Ali.
In 2001, Gayle recorded an album titled Jazz Solo Piano. This disc consisted mostly of straightforward jazz standards, and is considered a response to critics who charge that free jazz musicians cannot play bebop.