From California to Kansas City to New York, pianist Josh Charles has called many places home, but ever since his preteen years, his heart has belonged to New Orleans.
His first introduction to Big Easy music was as a preteen while listening to a Kansas City blues station that broadcast the music of keys legends such as James Booker, Dr. John and Professor Longhair.
Charles had demonstrated proficiency with classical music after taking up the piano at age 8, but hearing the sheer potential of the instrument as demonstrated by those artists resonated with him, he said.
"It had an original sound to it ... like there were four hands going at once," he said. "It was doing its own thing.
"That really attracted me. It was like, 'Hey, I'm a piano player. I can sit down and play like this and rock the house.' "
As his sound developed, Charles combined his penchant for Big Easy rhythm and spirit with a similar appreciation for Motown soul and vocals that are strongly reminiscent of early Elton John.
Tonight, he'll bring his take on New Orleans by way of Detroit to the stage at Miller Plaza as this week's featured artist at Nightfall.
Despite his continuing love for the city, Charles has yet to move to New Orleans. He made one attempt in 2005, but it was cut short when Hurricane Katrina struck.
Since then, Charles has been doing his part to help the city from his home in Brooklyn.
He's donating all the proceeds from "Healing Time," a song he wrote about the post-Katrina devastation he saw, to the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans.
When the song debuted last year, it set Charles' star on a fast rise, garnering national attention. As much as he appreciates the acclaim, however, it's returning the favor to the city that's given him so much that really matters, Charles said.
"I feel like, if you're in a position where you have a voice and people will listen to you, you should use your voice for the right reason," he said. "I'll do anything for New Orleans."
RELATED LINKS
http://www.joshcharlesmusic.com
IF YOU GO
* What: Nightfall Concert Series, featuring Josh Charles.
* When: 8 p.m. today; The Power Players Show Band opens at 7.
* Where: Miller Plaza, corner of M.L. King Blvd. and Cherry and Market streets.
* Admission: Free.
* Phone: 265-0771.
* Venue Web site: www.nightfallchattanooga.com.
* Related links at fyi.timesfreepress.com.
Q&A with Brooklyn-based New Orleans-style jazz pianist Josh Charles"The record player slows down a little bit, so it gets a little more funky, a little more laid-back." -- Josh Charles, on how he feels while touring away from his home in Brooklyn
THE OPENER
The Power Players Show Band is a local cover band that performs a wide range of songs by reggae, blues, rock, funk and jazz artists.
LINEUP
Robb Kidd - drums
Jimmy Dreams - bass
DID YOU KNOW?
* New Orleans jazz pianist Josh Charles wrote his hit single "Healing Time" while walking the streets of New Orleans just after Hurricane Katrina hit.
* Charles recently started the Healing Time Foundation, which uses proceeds from his album to aid American cities suffering from various disasters.
* His debut album, "Love, Work & Money," took four years to complete.
WHAT'S NEXT
While touring in support of his debut album, "Love, Work & Money," this year, Josh Charles said he may cut a live record. He hopes to be back in the studio in early 2011 to work on a sophomore studio project, which he said will be "a lot dirtier and more gritty and more raw."