Charles Baker Fowlkes (February 16, 1916 – February 9, 1980) was an American baritone saxophonist who was a member of the

Count Basie Orchestra The Count Basie Orchestra is a 16 to 18 piece big band, one of the most prominent jazz performing groups of the swing era, founded by Count Basie in 1935 and recording regularly from 1936. Despite a brief disbandment at the beginning of the 195 ...

for over twenty-five years.

Early life

Fowlkes was born in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

on February 16, 1916. He studied alto and tenor saxophone, clarinet, and violin before settling on the baritone saxophone (he occasionally played flute).

Later life and career

Fowlkes spent most of his early career in New York. He played with

Tiny Bradshaw Myron Carlton "Tiny" Bradshaw (September 23, 1907 – November 26, 1958)
- accessed July 2010 was an American

(1938–1944),

Lionel Hampton Lionel Leo Hampton (April 20, 1908 – August 31, 2002) was an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, and bandleader. Hampton worked with jazz musicians from Teddy Wilson, Benny Goodman, and Buddy Rich, to Charlie Parker, Charles M ...

(1944–1948), and

Arnett Cobb Arnett Cleophus Cobb (August 10, 1918 – March 24, 1989)
accessed July 2010. was an American tenor saxophonist, somet ...

(1948–1951). Fowlkes joined Basie's orchestra in 1953 and remained with it until his death; the main interruptions during his time with Basie were absences due to managing the career of his wife, vocalist Wini Brown. He died in Dallas on February 9, 1980.

Discography

With

The Count Basie Orchestra The Count Basie Orchestra is a 16 to 18 piece big band, one of the most prominent jazz performing groups of the swing era, founded by Count Basie in 1935 and recording regularly from 1936. Despite a brief disbandment at the beginning of the 1950 ...

*''

The Count! ''The Count!'' is an album by pianist/bandleader Count Basie recorded in 1952 and released on the Clef label in 1955.955 Year 955 ( CMLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * August 10 – Battle of Lechfeld: King Otto I ("the Great") defeats the Hungarians (also ...

*''

Basie Jazz ''Basie Jazz'' is an album by pianist/bandleader Count Basie recorded in 1952 and released on the Clef label in 1954.954 Year 954 ( CMLIV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * Spring – A Hungarian army led by Bulcsú crosses the Rhine. He camps at Worms in th ...

*''

Dance Session ''Dance Session'' is an album by pianist/bandleader Count Basie recorded in 1953 and became Basie's first 12-inch LP when it was originally released on the Clef label.

'' (Clef, 1953) *'' Dance Session Album #2'' (Clef, 1954) *'' Basie'' (Clef, 1954) *''

Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings ''Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings'' is an album by pianist/bandleader Count Basie and vocalist Joe Williams recorded in 1955 and originally released on the Clef label.Joe Williams *'' April in Paris'' (Verve, 1956) *''

The Greatest!! Count Basie Plays, Joe Williams Sings Standards ''The Greatest!! Count Basie Plays, Joe Williams Sings Standards'' is an album by vocalist Joe Williams and pianist/bandleader Count Basie and His Orchestra recorded in 1956 and released on the Verve label.Metronome All-Stars 1956 ''Metronome All-Stars 1956'' was the final album by the Metronome All-Stars, a loose amalgamation of musicians representing winners of ''Metronome'' magazine's annual poll. This 1956 release contains four tracks documenting the first collaborati ...

'' (Clef, 1956) with

Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, in ...

and Joe Williams *''

Hall of Fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...

'' (Verve, 1956

959 Year 959 ( CMLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * April - May – The Byzantines refuse to pay the yearly tribute. A Hungari ...

*''

The Greatest!! Count Basie Plays, Joe Williams Sings Standards ''The Greatest!! Count Basie Plays, Joe Williams Sings Standards'' is an album by vocalist Joe Williams and pianist/bandleader Count Basie and His Orchestra recorded in 1956 and released on the Verve label.Basie in London ''Basie in London'' is a 1956 live album by Count Basie and his orchestra, recorded (despite the inaccurate album title) in Gothenburg, Sweden. Track listing # "Jumpin' at the Woodside" (Count Basie, Jon Hendricks) – 3:38 # "Shiny Stockin ...

'' (Verve, 1956) *''

One O'Clock Jump "One O'Clock Jump" is a jazz standard, a 12-bar blues instrumental, written by Count Basie in 1937. Background The melody derived from band members' riffs—Basie rarely wrote down musical ideas, so Eddie Durham and Buster Smith helped him cry ...

'' (Verve, 1957) with Joe Williams and Ella Fitzgerald *''

Count Basie at Newport ''Count Basie at Newport'' is a live album by jazz musician Count Basie and his orchestra. It was originally issued as Verve MGV 8243 and included only the tracks 1-7 and 13. Tracks 9-12 originally included in ''Count Basie & Joe Williams/Dizzy G ...

'' (Verve, 1957) *'' The Atomic Mr. Basie'' (Roulette, 1957) aka ''Basie'' and ''E=MC²'' *'' Basie Plays Hefti'' (Roulette, 1958) *''

Sing Along with Basie ''Sing Along with Basie'' is an album by vocalese jazz group Lambert, Hendricks & Ross with Joe Williams and the Count Basie Orchestra recorded in 1958 and originally released on the Roulette label.Kitora, R.Count Basie Discography Retrieved Nov ...

'' (Roulette, 1958) - with Joe Williams and

Lambert, Hendricks & Ross Lambert, Hendricks & Ross were an American vocalese trio formed by jazz vocalists Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross. From 1962 to 1964, Ross was replaced by vocalist Yolande Bavan. History The group formed in 1957 and recorded their f ...

*''

Chairman of the Board The chairperson, also chairman, chairwoman or chair, is the presiding officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office, who is typically elected or appointed by members of the grou ...

'' (Roulette, 1959) *'' Basie One More Time'' (Roulette, 1959) *''

Breakfast Dance and Barbecue ''Breakfast Dance and Barbecue'' is a live album by pianist, composer and bandleader Count Basie and his Orchestra with vocalist Joe Williams featuring tracks recorded at a Disc Jockey convention in Florida in 1959 and originally released on the ...

'' (Roulette, 1959) *'' Basie/Eckstine Incorporated'' (Roulette, 1959) *'' Strike Up the Band'' (Roulette, 1959) *'' In Person!'' with

Tony Bennett Anthony Dominick Benedetto (born August 3, 1926), known professionally as Tony Bennett, is an American retired singer of traditional pop standards, big band, show tunes, and jazz. Bennett is also a painter, having created works under his birth ...

(Verve, 1959) *''

Everyday I Have the Blues "Every Day I Have the Blues" is a blues song that has been performed in a variety of styles. An early version of the song is attributed to Pinetop Sparks and his brother Milton. It was first performed in the taverns of St. Louis by the Spark ...

'' (Roulette, 1959) - with Joe Williams *''

Dance Along with Basie ''Dance Along with Basie'' is an album released by pianist, composer and bandleader Count Basie featuring tracks recorded in late 1959 and originally released on the Roulette label. Reception The album won the Best Performance by a Band for Da ...

'' (Roulette, 1959) *''

Not Now, I'll Tell You When ''Not Now, I'll Tell You When'' is an album by pianist and bandleader Count Basie featuring tracks recorded in 1960 and originally released on the Roulette Records, Roulette label.Kitora, R.Count Basie Discography - 1960-1969 accessed November 3, ...

'' (Roulette, 1960) *''

The Count Basie Story ''Count Basie Story'' is a double album by pianist, composer and bandleader Count Basie featuring tracks originally performed by his orchestra in the 1930s and 1940s rerecorded in 1960 as a celebration of its 25th anniversary and first released on ...

'' (Roulette, 1960) *''

Kansas City Suite ''Kansas City Suite'' (subtitled ''The Music of Benny Carter'') is an album by pianist, composer and bandleader Count Basie featuring tracks recorded in 1960 and originally released on the Roulette label.Kitora, R.Count Basie Discography - 1960-1 ...

'' (Roulette, 1960) *'' Count Basie/Sarah Vaughan'' with

Sarah Vaughan Sarah Lois Vaughan (March 27, 1924 – April 3, 1990) was an American jazz singer. Nicknamed "Sassy" and "Jazz royalty, The Divine One", she won two Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and was nominated for a total of nine ...

(Roulette, 1960) *''

Basie at Birdland ''Basie at Birdland'' is a 1961 live album by the Count Basie Orchestra that was recorded at Birdland in New York City. Reception The Allmusic review by Michael G. Nastos gave the album four stars, stating, "This has always been one of the more ...

'' (Roulette, 1961) *''

First Time! The Count Meets the Duke ''First Time! The Count Meets the Duke'' is an album by American pianists, composers and bandleaders Duke Ellington and Count Basie with their combined Orchestras recorded and released on the Columbia label in 1961.Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ellington was based ...

(Columbia, 1961) *'' The Legend'' (Roulette, 1961) *'' Easin' It'' (Roulette, 1962) *''

Back with Basie ''Back with Basie'' (subtitled ''More Hit Performances of the '60s'') is an album released by pianist, composer and bandleader Count Basie featuring tracks recorded in 1962 (with one from 1960) and originally released on the Roulette label.Kitora, ...

'' (Roulette, 1962) *''

Basie in Sweden ''Basie in Sweden'' (subtitled ''Recorded Live in Concert featuring Louis Bellson on Drums'') is a live album by pianist, composer and bandleader Count Basie featuring tracks recorded at an amusement park in Sweden in 1962 and originally released ...

'' (Roulette, 1962) *'' Sinatra–Basie: An Historic Musical First'' (Reprise, 1962) *''

On My Way & Shoutin' Again! ''On My Way & Shoutin' Again!'' is an album released by pianist, composer and bandleader Count Basie featuring compositions by Neal Hefti recorded in 1962 and originally released on the Verve label.This Time by Basie! ''This Time by Basie'' (subtitled ''Hits of the 50's & 60's'') is an album released by pianist, composer and bandleader Count Basie featuring jazz versions of contemporary hits recorded in 1963 and originally released on the Reprise label. Recept ...

'' (Reprise, 1963) *''

More Hits of the 50's and 60's More or Mores may refer to: Computing * MORE (application), outline software for Mac OS * more (command), a shell command * MORE protocol, a routing protocol * Missouri Research and Education Network Music Albums * ''More!'' (album), by Booka ...

'' (Verve, 1963) *'' Li'l Ol' Groovemaker...Basie!'' (Verve, 1963) *'' Ella and Basie!'' with

(Verve, 1963) *'' Basie Land'' (Verve, 1964) *''

It Might as Well Be Swing ''It Might as Well Be Swing'' is a 1964 studio album by Frank Sinatra, accompanied by Count Basie and his orchestra. It was Sinatra's first studio recording arranged by Quincy Jones. The recording of " Fly Me to the Moon" which appears on thi ...

'' with

Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Chairman of the Board" and later called "Ol' Blue Eyes", Sinatra was one of the most popular ...

(Reprise, 1964) *'' Our Shining Hour'' with Sammy Davis, Jr. (Verve, 1965) *''

Pop Goes the Basie ''Pop Goes the Basie'' is an album by pianist and bandleader Count Basie featuring jazz versions of contemporary hits recorded in 1964 and originally released on the Reprise label.Kitora, R.Count Basie Discography accessed November 15, 2015 Recep ...

'' (Reprise, 1965) *''

Basie Meets Bond ''Basie Meets Bond'' is a 1966 album by Count Basie and his orchestra. The album is a collection of musical pieces originating from the first four James Bond films; '' Dr No'', '' From Russia with Love'', '' Goldfinger'' and '' Thunderball''. The ...

'' (United Artists, 1966) *''

Live at the Sands (Before Frank) ''Live at the Sands (Before Frank)'' is a live album by the pianist and bandleader Count Basie with performances recorded in Las Vegas in 1966 at the same concerts that produced Frank Sinatra's 1966 album ''Sinatra at the Sands''. It was released ...

'' (Reprise, 1966

998 Year 998 ( CMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * Spring – Otto III retakes Rome and restores power in the papal city. Crescenti ...

*''

Sinatra at the Sands ''Sinatra at the Sands'' is a live album by Frank Sinatra accompanied by Count Basie and his orchestra, and conducted and arranged by Quincy Jones, recorded live in the Copa Room of the former Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in 1966. It was ...

'' (Reprise, 1966) with

*''

Basie's Beatle Bag ''Basie's Beatle Bag'' is a 1966 studio album by Count Basie and his orchestra, arranged by Chico O'Farrill. Basie released a second album of Beatles songs, '' Basie on the Beatles'', in 1969. Track listing # "Help!" – 2:15 # "Can't Buy Me ...

'' (Verve, 1966) *'' Broadway Basie's...Way'' (Command, 1966) *'' Hollywood...Basie's Way'' (Command, 1967) *''

Basie's Beat ''Basie's Beat'' is a 1967 album by Count Basie and his orchestra. The trombonist Richard Boone sings on two of the tracks, "Boone's Blues" and "I Got Rhythm". Track listing # "It's Only a Paper Moon" ( Harold Arlen, E.Y. "Yip" Harburg, Billy ...

'' (Verve, 1967) *''

Basie's in the Bag ''Basie's in the Bag'' is an album by pianist and bandleader Count Basie and His Orchestra featuring performances of contemporary popular tunes recorded in 1967 and released on the Brunswick label.The Happiest Millionaire ''The Happiest Millionaire'' is a 1967 American musical film starring Fred MacMurray, based upon the true story of Philadelphia millionaire Anthony Drexel Biddle. The film, featuring music by the Sherman Brothers, was nominated for an Academy A ...

'' (Coliseum, 1967) *''

Half a Sixpence ''Half a Sixpence'' is a 1963 musical comedy based on the 1905 novel ''Kipps'' by H. G. Wells, with music and lyrics by David Heneker and a book by Beverley Cross. It was written as a vehicle for British pop star Tommy Steele. Background The ...

'' (Dot, 1967) *'' The Board of Directors'' with the

Mills Brothers The Mills Brothers, sometimes billed the Four Mills Brothers, and originally known as the Four Kings of Harmony, were an American jazz and traditional pop vocal quartet who made more than 2,000 recordings that sold more than 50 million copies a ...

(Dot, 1967) *''

Manufacturers of Soul ''Manufacturers of Soul'' is an album by soul music vocalist Jackie Wilson and jazz pianist and bandleader Count Basie featuring performances of jazz versions of contemporary R&B/soul hits recorded in 1968 and released on the Brunswick Records, Bru ...

'' (Brunswick, 1968) with

Jackie Wilson Jack Leroy Wilson Jr. (June 9, 1934 – January 21, 1984) was an American singer and performer of the 1950s and 60s. He was a prominent figure in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. Nicknamed "Mr. Excitement", he was considered a mas ...

*''

The Board of Directors Annual Report ''The Board of Directors Annual Report'' is an album by vocal group The Mills Brothers with pianist and bandleader Count Basie and His Orchestra featuring performances recorded in 1968 and released on the Dot label.Edwards, D. & Callahan, MDot A ...

'' (Dot, 1968) with The Mills Brothers *''

Basie Straight Ahead ''Basie Straight Ahead'' is an album recorded at TTG Studios, Hollywood, California in October 1968 featuring Count Basie and his orchestra. This album marked the first collaboration between Basie and his long-time orchestrator, Sammy Nestico, w ...

'' (Dot, 1968) *'' How About This'' (Paramount, 1968) with

Kay Starr Katherine Laverne Starks (July 21, 1922 – November 3, 2016), known professionally as Kay Starr, was an American singer who enjoyed considerable success in the late 1940s and 1950s. She was of Iroquois and Irish heritage. Starr performed multip ...

*''

Standing Ovation A standing ovation is a form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up while applauding after extraordinary performances of particularly high acclaim. In Ancient Rome returning military commanders (such as Marcus Licinius Crassus a ...

'' (Dot, 1969) *'' Basic Basie'' (MPS, 1969) *'' Basie on the Beatles'' (Happy Tiger, 1969) *''

Basie Big Band Basie Big Band is a 1975 studio album by Count Basie and his orchestra. Track listing # "Front Burner" – 5:54 # "Freckle Face" – 6:26 # "Orange Sherbet" – 3:42 # "Soft as Velvet" – 3:51 # "The Heat's On" – 2:47 # "Midnight Freight" ...

'' (Pablo, 1975) *'' I Told You So'' (Pablo, 1976) *'' Live in Japan '78'' (Pablo, 1978) *''

Digital III at Montreux ''Digital III at Montreux'' is a 1979 live album featuring a compilation of performances by Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Joe Pass, and Ray Brown, recorded at the 1979 Montreux Jazz Festival. It was produced and ha ...

'' with Ella Fitzgerald (Pablo, 1979) *'' A Classy Pair'' with Ella Fitzgerald (Pablo, 1979) With

Kenny Clarke Kenneth Clarke Spearman (January 9, 1914January 26, 1985), nicknamed Klook, was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. A major innovator of the bebop style of drumming, he pioneered the use of the ride cymbal to keep time rather than the hi-ha ...

*''

Telefunken Blues ''Telefunken Blues'' is an album led by jazz drummer Kenny Clarke recorded in late 1954 and early 1955 and first released on the Savoy label.

'' (Savoy, 1955) ;With

Buck Clayton Wilbur Dorsey "Buck" Clayton (November 12, 1911 – December 8, 1991) was an American jazz trumpeter who was a member of Count Basie's orchestra. His principal influence was Louis Armstrong, first hearing the record "Confessin' That I Love You" ...

*'' The Huckle-Buck and Robbins' Nest'' (Columbia, 1954) *''

How Hi the Fi ''How Hi the Fi'', subtitled ''A Buck Clayton Jam Session'', is an album by trumpeter Buck Clayton which was recorded in 1953 and 1954 and released on the Columbia label.Jumpin' at the Woodside "Jumpin' at the Woodside" is a song first recorded in 1938 by the Count Basie Orchestra, and considered one of the band's signature tunes. When first released it reached number 11 on the ''Billboard'' charts and remained on them for four weeks. ...

'' (Columbia, 1955) *''

All the Cats Join In ''All the Cats Join In'' is a song written by Ray Gilbert, Eddie Sauter and Alec Wilder, and first recorded by Benny Goodman. It later was a track on an LP with the same title by trumpeter Buck Clayton. Benny Goodman Curiously, Goodman record ...

'' (Columbia 1956) With

Stanley Cowell Stanley Cowell (May 5, 1941 – December 17, 2020) was an American jazz pianist and co-founder of the Strata-East Records label. Early life Cowell was born in Toledo, Ohio. He began playing the piano around the age of four, and became interest ...

*''

Regeneration Regeneration may refer to: Science and technology * Regeneration (biology), the ability to recreate lost or damaged cells, tissues, organs and limbs * Regeneration (ecology), the ability of ecosystems to regenerate biomass, using photosynthesis ...

'' (Strata East, 1976) With

Al Grey Al Grey (June 6, 1925 – March 24, 2000) was an American jazz trombonist who was a member of the Count Basie orchestra. He was known for his plunger mute technique and wrote an instructional book in 1987 called ''Plunger Techniques''. Care ...

*''

The Last of the Big Plungers ''The Last of the Big Plungers'' is an album by trombonist Al Grey and the Basie Wing released in 1960 on Argo Records.The Thinking Man’s Trombone ''The Thinking Man's Trombone'' is an album by trombonist Al Grey released in 1960 on Argo Records.Coleman Hawkins Coleman Randolph Hawkins (November 21, 1904 – May 19, 1969), nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.Yanow, Scot"Coleman Hawkins: Artist Biography" AllMusic. Retrieved December 27, 2013. One of the first p ...

*'' The Saxophone Section'' (World Wide, 1958) With

Milt Jackson Milton Jackson (January 1, 1923 – October 9, 1999), nicknamed "Bags", was an American jazz vibraphonist, usually thought of as a bebop player, although he performed in several jazz idioms. He is especially remembered for his cool swinging solo ...

*''

Meet Milt Jackson ''Meet Milt Jackson'' is an album by American jazz vibraphonist Milt Jackson featuring performances recorded between 1949 and 1956 and released on the Savoy label.

'' (Savoy, 1955) With

Yusef Lateef Yusef Abdul Lateef (born William Emanuel Huddleston; October 9, 1920 – December 23, 2013) was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist, composer, and prominent figure among the Ahmadiyya Community in America. Although Lateef's main instruments ...

*''

Part of the Search ''Part of the Search'' is an album by multi-instrumentalist Yusef Lateef recorded in 1973 (with one track from a 1971 recording session) and released on the Atlantic Records, Atlantic label.Billy Taylor Billy Taylor (July 24, 1921 – December 28, 2010) was an American jazz pianist, composer, broadcaster and educator. He was the Robert L. Jones Distinguished Professor of Music at East Carolina University in Greenville, and from 1994 was the ...

*'' My Fair Lady Loves Jazz'' (Impulse!, 1957) With

Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson (born Edward L. Vinson Jr.; December 18, 1917 – July 2, 1988) was an American jump blues, jazz, bebop and R&B alto saxophonist and blues shouter. He was nicknamed Cleanhead after an incident in which his hair was ...

*''

Clean Head's Back in Town ''Clean Head's Back in Town'', subtitled ''Eddie Vinson Sings'', is an album by the American saxophonist and vocalist Eddie Vinson, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson. Recorded in 1957, it was released by Bethlehem Records.Frank Wess Frank Wellington Wess (January 4, 1922 – October 30, 2013) was an American jazz saxophonist and flutist. In addition to his extensive solo work, Wess is remembered for his time in Count Basie's band from the early 1950s into the 1960s. Critic ...

*'' Opus de Blues'' (Savoy, 1959

984 Year 984 ( CMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * Spring – German boy-king Otto III (4-years old) is seized by the deposed Henry II ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fowlkes, Charlie 1916 births 1980 deaths African-American musicians Jazz baritone saxophonists Musicians from New York City Count Basie Orchestra members 20th-century American musicians 20th-century saxophonists