Details: Saxophonist Charles Owens' career as a name jazzman began during 1968, when he attracted some attention as a sideman with Buddy Rich. Owens went from being an itinerant musician around the Boston area to playing with Buddy Rich in Las Vegas and continuing on for a three year stint which included a tour of Japan. Mongo Santamaria, who had heard Owens with Buddy Rich in Chicago, sent for Owens to join his band in New York. The looseness and rhythmic exotica in Mongo's group provided a valuable experience for Owens who also got a chance to bone up on his flute work. Owens began to make some headway in the studios of the Hollywood scene and began to build lasting relationships with many of the great musicians who would eventually grace his first solo album as a leader - dubbed Charles Owens Motherlode - "I Stand Alone," recorded in 1971. An impressive band, to say the least, backs Owens' flute, soprano and tenor saxophone on his maiden voyage including Oscar Brashear (trumpet); Dwight Dickerson (electric piano); Thurman Green (trombone); Woody Murray (vibes); Paul Smith (electric bass); Bobby Thompson (drums, tambourine); Ricardo Torres (conga) and William Jeffrey (drums). All selections newly remastered.

Charles Owens - I Stand Alone (CD)