Saturn Biographies:
Charlie Kohlhase

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First introduced to Sun Ra's music while a teenage DJ at WUNH (University of New Hampshire radio). Still somewhat active in radio, hosting Research & Development every Tuesday from 2-4 PM on WMBR-FM in Cambridge (MIT radio).

Mostly self-taught in saxophone and composition. Started playing at 18, inspired by the music of Eric Dolphy and Ornette Coleman. Private studies with Tom Bergeron, Stan Strickland, Roswell Rudd and Joe Allard. Moved to Boston in 1980. Occasional performances with trio, quartet or duet with fellow saxophonist Matt Langley from 1982.

Joined Either/ Orchestra in 1987. Appear on 5 CD's (all on Accurate) and many tours. Formed Charlie Kohlhase Quintet in 1989 with Langley, Curtis Hasselbring (trombone), John Turner (bass) and Matt Wilson (drums). Very stable personnel over the years, John Carlson (trumpet) replaced Hasselbring in 1992 and John McLellan replaced Wilson in 1998. Quintet has toured the Midwest annually since 1994, has yet to catch on in Europe or New York. Quintet recordings include Research & Development (1990), Good Deeds (1992), Dart Night (1995) (all on Accurate) and Dancing On My Bedpost (1998) on CIMP. Quintet also appears on Sun Ra tribute Wavelength Infinity (Rastascan) and on Ken Scaphorst's Over The Rainbow (Accurate).

Kohlhase also co-led quintet with John Tchicai for two performanes in Sept. 1997. Plan to tour New England and record with Tchicai in Dec. 1998. Kohlhase has also played as sideman with the Mandala Octet (Accurate and Volition) and with guitarist Mitch Seidman (Brownstone).

Musical influences: Sun Ra, Lee Konitz, Roscoe Mitchell, John Tchicai, Roswell Rudd, Steve Lacy, Julius Hemphill, Thelonious Monk.

Favorites: John Gilmore, Von Freeman, Elmo Hope, Henry Threadgill, John Coltrane.

Favorite Sun Ra records: Supersonic Jazz; The Magic City; Nuits de la Fondation Maeght; The Invisible Shield; Fate In A Pleasant Mood.

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