Composer of the Month: Charlie Descarfino


Charlie Descarfino, this month's featured Bachovich percussionist/composer, is at home in a wide range of musical environments. He has performed with a number of classical ensembles, including the American Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, the American Composer's Orchestra, the New York City Ballet Orchestra, the EOS Orchestra, and the Brooklyn Philharmonic. He is a mainstay on Broadway, having performed on the shows Sweet Charity, Thoroughly Modern Millie, City of Angels, The Who’s Tommy, Titanic, Suessical, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. He has recorded for a number of record labels and jingles and can be heard on Disney's Mulan and the movie version of The Producers. Additionally, he is well-versed in jazz and popular circles, having performed with the Louie Bellson Big Band and artists such as Roberta Flack, Bette Midler, Freddy Cole, Kenny Rankin, Ben Vereen, and Jewel. To call Charlie's musical background diverse is an understatement.

Explore Charlie's compositional style in his work Temples, Evening, Winds, and Metal for flute and percussion quartet. The flute and metallic percussion (vibraphone, gongs, wind chimes, etc.) create a beautiful setting for the reading of 17th century Japanese haikus. The work is deep and nuanced and paints a brilliant Japanese landscape. For more information and audio samples, click HERE.

Thank you, Charlie, for your wonderful piece!