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Charles Sullivan

b. 1944

American musician

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About Charles Sullivan

Born 1944. Charles Sullivan is an American jazz musician and trumpeter.

Charles Henry Sullivan (born November 8, 1944), also known as Kamau Adilifu, is an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader. He has recorded four albums as leader. He also made recordings as a sideman with Woody Shaw, Dollar Brand, Ricky Ford, and King Curtis, among others.

Biography Charles Sullivan was born in New York City. Growing up, Sullivan was taught how to play the trumpet from his two uncles who were both trumpet players. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree from the Manhattan School of Music in 1967. He also worked for multiple off-Broadway productions shortly before and after his graduation. In Spring of 1967 Sullivan made his first trip to Europe; a five month long tour performing with the Donald McKayle Dance Company then toured briefly as Count Basie's lead trumpeter in 1970 and with Lonnie Liston Smith in 1971. In 1974 Sullivan released his first album as bandleader titled Genesis. The album was entirely arraigned, composed, and produced by Sullivan. Throughout most of Sullivan's career he has worked intermittently on many Broadway productions and with orchestras.

Discography

As leader Genesis (1974, Strata-East) Re-Entry (1976, Whynot) Kamau (1995, Arabesque) Jam Session Vol. 11 (2004, SteepleChase)

As sideman With Kenny Barron Lucifer (Muse, 1975) With Walter Bishop, Jr. Illumination (1977) With Betty Carter The Music Never Stops (Blue Engine, 2019) With Ricky Ford Loxodonta Africana (New World, 1977) With Sonny Fortune Long Before Our Mothers Cried (Strata-East, 1974) Awakening (Horizon, 1975) Waves of Dreams (Horizon, 1976) With Carlos Garnett Black Love (Muse, 1974) With Yusef Lateef Part of the Search (Atlantic, 1973) With Jimmy Owens Headin' Home (A&M/Horizon, 1978) With Sam Rivers Crystals (Impulse!, 1973) With Roswell Rudd Numatik Swing Band (1973) With Woody Shaw Woody III (Columbia, 1979) With McCoy Tyner 13th House (Milestone, 1981) Uptown/Downtown (Milestone, 1988) The Turning Point (1991)

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
Kamau Muata Adilifu

People in Charles Sullivan's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Charles Sullivan's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Charles Sullivan?

American musician

When was Charles Sullivan born?

Charles Sullivan was born on 8 November 1944 in New York City.

What is Charles Sullivan's occupation?

Charles Sullivan is a jazz musician and trumpeter.

What nationality is Charles Sullivan?

Charles Sullivan is American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Charles Sullivan

· Wikidata: Q1722860

· DBpedia: Charles Sullivan (musician)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Charles Sullivan. https://biography.guide/charles-sullivan-jazz-musician/

MLA: "Charles Sullivan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/charles-sullivan-jazz-musician/.

Chicago: "Charles Sullivan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/charles-sullivan-jazz-musician/.

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