Charles Owens

Charles Owens is a tenor saxophonist who built his reputation on the New York club scene and later became a central figure in the jazz life of Richmond and Charlottesville, Virginia. Born in 1972 and raised in Alexandria, Virginia, he studied in the New School's jazz program and worked in New York from 1992 to 2004, where he held a weekly late-night Friday slot at Smalls. He made his recording debut as a leader with Eternal Balance in 1999, joined by Jason Lindner on piano, Omer Avital on bass, and Daniel Freedman on drums. After relocating to Virginia he formed the Charles Owens Trio with bassist Andrew Randazzo and drummer Devonne Harris, a jazz-funk group that released 10 Years in 2021. Alongside performing he works as an educator, and Smalls has remained his New York home base.