Faced with the obstacles of sexism, racism, social norms and the mere physicality of the instrument, very few African American women in history have been recorded playing jazz trumpet. Undaunted by such obstacles, in 2010, as a newly divorced mom of two, Charmaine Michelle set out to pursue her dream of becoming a jazz trumpeter. Even though she hadn’t played trumpet in 10 years, since she was already suffering from the loss of her family, she felt she had nothing to lose by auditioning for the jazz program at the prestigious Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland.
By the grace of God, she not only was accepted into the program but also received the $100k Noble Levi Jolley, Sr. Scholarship for Jazz Studies. At Peabody, Charmaine Michelle studied with world renowned jazz artists, Gary Thomas, Paul Bollenback, Micheal Formaneck, Tim Murphy and Alex Norris. For trumpet, she also studied with Joe Burgstaller, formerly of the Canadian Brass.
Unfortunately due to family issues, she was unable to complete her studies at Peabody and returned to the corporate world. Nevertheless, Charmaine Michelle pressed forward continuing to learn from friends and whenever she could afford, took private lessons with the Assistant Principal of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, René Hernandez and the world renowned jazz trumpeter and educator Dave Ballou.
Since 2010, Charmaine Michelle has played with the Musicians of Mercy, Artists Against War, Shannon Gunn & the Bullets, Dale Corn Big Band, Dunbar Alumni Band, her own group and Grammy Nominated Vocalist Carolyn Malachi, to name a few.
On her 39th birthday, July 4, 2017, with many of her friends who have supported her audacious musical journey, Charmaine Michelle makes her courageous recording debut as a band leader featuring some of her favorite jazz ballads. She hopes that her first CD inspires the kind of eternal romance that great families are built upon.
Performance Credits:
Charmaine Michelle – trumpet
Marc Evans – vocals (1)
Dniko Evans – tenor sax
Darius Scott – piano (1-2)
Jesse Moody – drums (1-2)
Mikel Combs – bass (1-2)
Justin Taylor – piano (3-4) rhodes (5)
Howard “KingFish” Franklin – drums (3-5)
Herman Burney – bass (3-5)
Special Thanks:
Crystal Hoff – Visionary Roots (Hair Stylist) http://www.visionaryroots.com
Edward Tetreault of Peabody Studios – Recording Engineer, Mixing and Mastering
Bob Dawson of Bias Studio – Recording Engineer
Baltimore Brass
Rosso Music Center
Noble Jolley Sr. Family
Sam Rose
Satish Robertson
Jorge Ayala Jr.
Caesar Ulsano
David Smith
John Lamkin Sr.
Charles Funn
Donvonte McCoy
Theljon Allen
Luke Stewart
Shannon Gunn
Vince Evans
Barry Harris
Emil Turner
Dave Ballou
Joe Burgstaller
Duane Eubanks
Echo Community Church Family