Long before becoming a staple of the Queen City’s contemporary jazz ecosystem, Craig was an acolyte in Chicago, absorbing the wisdom of his mentor, the legendary Ramsey Lewis. Lewis understood that sophistication and infectious rhythm are not mutually exclusive. Today, that Chicago lineage blooms through Craig’s distinctive Southern filter.

Craig’s artistry does not merely lean on nostalgia; it interrogates it with a modern, groove-laden wit. His performance series, Rendezvous with Ramsey Lewis, avoids the traps of static tribute acts. Instead of treating classic leads as sacred museum pieces, Craig treats them as living templates for high-wire improvisation. In his hands, anthems like The In Crowd become rhythmic conversations. He honors the past by pushing it forward, infusing straight-ahead bebop with soul, funk, and modern fusion—a fluid philosophy evident in his single, AC Groove.

The effortless authority Craig displays on local Carolinas stages was forged in the global jazz explosion of the 1990s. After honing his craft at the Berklee College of Music, Craig toured internationally as the harmonic anchor for the formidable Roy Hargrove Quintet. That high-caliber experience led to vital studio sessions, including recording on bassist Christian McBride’s celebrated record A Family Affair, and sharing global stages with titans like Arturo Sandoval and Joe Henderson.

Having played everywhere from the Village Vanguard to the North Sea Jazz Festival, Craig understands that a great jazz set relies on human connection regardless of the scale of the venue. This perspective informs his current work with the Charles Craig Trio, featuring veteran bassist Ron Brendle and dynamic drummer Tim Scott Jr. Together, they operate like a single, telepathic entity, transforming standard charts into masterclasses of call-and-response tension and resolution.

Beyond fingerboard agility, Craig’s contribution to North Carolina’s cultural landscape is deeply intellectual. As the visionary force behind Charles Craig Arts and Education and a former consultant for Jazz at Lincoln Center, he treats the history of Black American music as a living lineage requiring careful stewardship. By pouring his institutional knowledge back into the community, Craig ensures that the regional scene remains vibrant, historically rooted, and technically fearless.

Ultimately, Craig’s genius lies in his refusal to compartmentalize his influences. He is a classicist unafraid of a funk groove, a virtuoso who prioritizes the listener’s joy. Watching him perform, one witnesses a master musician channeling a century of rhythm, making the history of jazz feel as immediate as the very next heartbeat.

Enjoy the third in his series, “The Arrangements, Ramsey’s Leads”, June 17th.

Article written by Middle C Jazz Marketing Support, Scott Homewood.