Charlie Rouse

Charlie Rouse (April 6, 1924 - November 30, 1988) was an American hard bop tenor saxophonist and flautist. His career is marked by the collaboration for more than ten years with Thelonious Monk.

Rouse was born in Washington, DC in 1924. At first he worked with the clarinet, before turning to the saxophone. He is best remembered for having worked with Thelonious Monk for eleven years, from 1959 to 1970, as the saxophonist of the Thelonious Monk Quartet.  He adapted his playing style, moving away from the usual bop to match Monk's music. Prior to working with Monk he was a member of big bands, those of Billy Eckstine, Dizzy Gillespie, and Duke Ellington and also worked with Clifford Brown, Count Basie and others. 

Later, in the 1980s, he was a founding member of the group Sphere,  which began as a tribute to Monk. He also worked with Mal Waldron's quintet.

Charlie Rouse died from lung cancer at University Hospital in Seattle at the age of 64.

Carrer

Billy Eckstine Orchestra: 1944;

Dizzy Gillespie Big Band: 1945;

Duke Ellington Orchestra: 1949-1950;

Count Basie Octet: 1950;

Bull Moose Jackson And His Buffalo Bearcats: 1953;

Oscar Pettiford Sextet: 1955;

The Thelonious Monk Quartet: 1959 - 1970

Discography

As leader

The Chase Is On, 1957, Bethlehem.

Takin' Care Of Business, 1960, Prestige.

Unsung Hero, 1960-61, Epic.

Yeah!, 1960, Epic

Bossa Nova Bacchanal, 1962, Blue Note.

Two is One, 1973, Strata-East Records.

Moment's Notice, 1977, Storyville.

Cinammon Flower, 1977, Rykodisc.

Upper Manhattan Jazz Society, 1981, Enja.

Social Call, 1984, Uptown.

Epistrophy, 1988, Landmark

Soul Mates (featuring Sahib Shihab)

Brazil, 2005, Douglas Records

As sideman

With Clifford Brown

Memorial Album (Blue Note, 1953)

With Benny Carter

Further Definitions (1961)

With Sonny Clark

Leapin' and Lopin' (1961)

With Bennie Green

Bennie Green Blows His Horn (1955)

Back on the Scene (1958)

With Thelonious Monk

Monk in France (1961)

Criss Cross (1962)

Monk's Dream (1963)

Live at the It Club (1964)

Straight, No Chaser (1966)

Underground (1968)

With Louis Smith

Smithville (1958)

With Mal Waldron

The Git Go - Live at the Village Vanguard (Soul Note, 1986)

The Seagulls of Kristiansund (Soul Note, 1986)

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