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Charlie Hunter:
Eight Strings Attached and No Worries
Through his vast exposure to the various facets of music, it is evident that Charlie Hunter will not allow himself to be classified or categorized by his past accomplishments. Hunter's motivation lies in what has yet to come, creatively and spiritually, in music and in life. Sliding in and out of groups and collaborations with ease, Hunter feels a groove, picks up his instrument, and lays down a little of himself wherever and with whomever he sees fit. Such action forces an individual to open his mind, absorb that which is foreign, and somehow find a connection between the familiar and the unknown.
Charlie Hunter. Somehow his name turns up in the strangest of places. In 1993, it was listed on a bill that included U2 and Primus. At the time, he also landed a gig with poet/emcee Michael Franti and organic hip-hop crew Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. Not a year later, Hunter changed directions again and decided to form a jazz trio with drummer Jay Lane (who played with the original Primus line-up) and tenor sax player Dave Ellis. The group's self-titled debut, Charlie Hunter Trio, in addition to steady shows at the Elbo Room and the Up and Down Club in San Francisco, boosted awareness of this new talent in the realm of improvisation.
Notoriety, a result of Hunter's incredible sound, subsequently brought the artist to the attention of established jazz label Blue Note Records. By this time, Hunter had added an eighth string to his guitar, an instrumental modification almost completely unheard of; the additional strings allowed Hunter to play not only traditional guitar parts (harmonies, picking solos, etc.), but also bass lines. To maintain a steady groove on the low-end while simultaneously dazzling listeners with beautiful accompaniments and solos is an absolutely incredible feat. Hunter's innovation set the stage for a series of stellar Blue Note releases, including a tribute to Bob Marley, on which his quartet covers Marley's entire Natty Dread album. With consistent album sales and a steady increase in demand for his live performances, Hunter quickly established himself as one of the most valuable artists on the Blue Note label in recent years.
As the old saying goes, "It's not where you're from, it's where you're at." For many artists, where they are from seems to dominate where they are going. When a musician does not advance with his music for fear of losing something in his past, progress is greatly hindered. By repeatedly playing the same sound, an artist often seals the demise of his career. As times and people change, so must music, as it is a reflection of life and individuality.
So where, exactly, is Charlie Hunter? The San Francisco native has moved to New York, where he currently produces some of the best music of his career. 1999 saw the release of a conceptual sound masterpiece, Duo, an album that showcases Hunter's unique eight-string guitar style beside the lyrical virtuosity of drummer Leon Parker. Hunter also squeezed in some studio sessions with D'Angelo, which earned him co-writing credits to three incredible tracks on the hip-hop artist's sophomore album, Voodoo. Somewhere in the midst of these projects and a short U.S. tour, Hunter also managed to record an electronica-tinged EP with friends Stanton Moore and Skerik, under the moniker "Garage à Trois"; the project displayed Hunter's incredible ability to adapt, as he came across as a veteran to down-tempo, trip-hop, and jungle, in a single live session.
Music, no matter what type, will always have universal appeal if emotion and honest intensity fills each note. The search for a link between one's individual style and the beauty that exists beyond one's scope of exposure is a life-long endeavor. To think that anyone could master every type of music is absurd, but, for some people, the quest for a universal sound demands exploration and experimentation down every possible avenue. Such people search for elements of different sounds, blend them together with their own sound, and give birth to something new and original. Musicians who have embraced the life-long pursuit of education, adaptation, creation, and elevation have become household names, through decades of making music. Cats like John Coltrane, David Bowie, Prince, KRS-One, Carlos Santana, and George Clinton exemplify this tradition and have passed their continuing legacies on to musicians like Charlie Hunter.
musictoday caught up with Charlie Hunter in his New York apartment, as he recovered from a virus that forced him to cancel a show at Joe's Public Theatre, the first show cancellation Hunter had made in seven years. We wished him the best with his recovery and proceeded to discuss his innovative style, diverse musical background, and everything else that came to mind, in order to gain some insight into the mind of a man in the process of doing it all.
by Damani
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