Testaments

Charles Gayle was a titan of free jazz, renowned for his fierce and unruly sound on the tenor saxophone. Born in Buffalo, New York, in 1939, Gayle's musical journey was as tumultuous and captivating as the city streets that inspired his music. He spent decades honing his craft in obscurity, even living and performing on the streets of New York before gaining prominence in the 1990s. Gayle's music was a raw, visceral reaction to the urban landscape, with his saxophone evoking the rumble of subway cars, the hiss of buses, and the wail of sirens. His performances were not just concerts but spiritual experiences, steeped in the rich history of African and African American music. A multi-instrumentalist, Gayle also excelled on piano, bass clarinet, bass, and percussion. His uncompromising artistry and deeply spiritual outlook made him an iconic figure in the downtown New York City jazz scene. Gayle's legacy endures as one of the greatest free jazz saxophonists of the last half-century.