The Charlie Lagond Band

World-class musician and woodwind player Charlie Lagond has worked professionally for over 35 years, performing around the world with his own bands as well as alongside renowned artists Chet Baker, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Bernard Purdie, Chuck Mangione, The Jackson Five, the Temptations, Natalie Cole, and Kid Creole & the Coconuts with whom he has performed at several presidential inaugural balls and a Command Performance by request of Princess Diana. He has performed on Broadway, in film and television, and has an extensive background in studio session recording.

Live performance, though, is his greatest passion. “I got into music not for the fame and glory but because music has always excited and inspired me. Sharing my love of music with audiences around the world has — and continues to be — one of the most fulfilling aspects of my life.”

To inspire and promote this same passion and vitality in a new generation, Charlie also founded a unique musical program a decade ago. His program couples a rigorous musical theory foundation with a focus on live performance with bands. The list of personal and professional accolades in the many students who have gone through his program is a resounding testament to its merits and success.

Charlie is available for live performance bookings with a range of potential bands — an intimate duo, stellar stylish jazz combos, or a hard-driving, brassy Latin/funk orchestra. For the bigger bands, Charlie incorporates an array of production elements in his shows, making each performance a choreographed presentation of music, costume, dance and visuals.

He expresses an extraordinary personal artistry through his original arrangements, his instrument virtuosity, and his ability to bring it all together into an exciting live show. “We try to put ourselves in the position of the audience. For them, nothing matches the visceral experience of a truly great live performance.”

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The 5-piece Charlie Lagond Band is all about entertainment and production value, often incorporating various themes into its performances, including dance and movie clips. The Charlie Lagond Band has the dynamic ability to play fun and diversified shows, or simply conservative and traditional jazz shows.