FM
Biography
Etienne Charles (b. July 24, 1983 Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago) comes from a rich legacy of folk musical tradition going back four generations. His great-grandfather, Clement Monlouis emigrated to Trinidad from Martinique and soon after formed his band in Mayaro. His grandfather, Ralph Charles' distinct cuatro style can be heard on the classic folk and calypso recordings of the Growling Tiger. His father, Francis Charles, was a member of Phase II Pan Groove, one of the world’s top steel bands and one that Etienne himself would later join. Music surrounded him as a child, emanating from his father’s vast record collection, the occasional jam session that would take place during the christmas season, the sounds of calypso, steel pan, and African Shango drumming. These formative years inspired Charles’s playing and are evident in his sound today.
Etienne's musical journey began at home. Always a noisemaker, he would find himself drumming on desks, tables and whatever else he could get a sound from. His formal musical education began at Bishop Anstey Junior School where his music teacher, Mr. White taught students to read music, sing and play the recorder. Etienne began learning recorder when his older sister brought her own home from school. He took to the recorder like it was his own and began playing. He received his first trumpet at age 10 as a gift from his Uncle Peter and immediately began filling the house with noise, disturbing people near and far. On noticing his determination, his parents decided that on completion of his secondary school entrance examinations he would begin taking lessons. Etienne's success at common entrance earned him a spot in the prestigious Fatima College where he was a member of the school's football, cricket, swimming and water polo teams. At Fatima, he was the first three-time winner of the coveted Provincial Cup and the youngest student to ever win the award. He studied trumpet briefly with Major Edouard Wade and then at the Brass Institute where he would quickly become the youngest member of the school's professional band, TBI brass. TBI brass gave 12 year old Etienne his first taste of touring as they were featured at a festival in Cumana, Venezuela. At age 14, Etienne began to learn drums and percussion. He had his first theatre job, in the pit playing percussion for 'My Fair Lady' and then 'Treasure Island.' Etienne also began joining his father on the yearly ritual of playing on the road J'ouvert morning, carnival Monday and Tuesday and later for Panorama with Phase II.
