Happy 81st Birthday, Charles McPherson! (July 24, 1939)

Charles McPherson was born in Joplin, Missouri and moved to Detroit at age nine. After growing up in Detroit, he studied with the renowned pianist Barry Harris and started playing jazz professionally at age 19.

After moving to New York in 1959, McPherson began his association with Charles Mingus, which lasted for the next 12 years. By 1972, McPherson stopped playing with Mingus and continued to tour and record as a leader and as a sideman. He moved to San Diego in 1978, and since then he has maintained an active career as a performer and educator throughout the United States and abroad.

Charles Mingus, Charles McPherson and Pepper Adams at the original Five Spot Café, NYC 1960 - McPherson was 21 years old.