Jump to content

Charles Covington

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Ser Amantio di Nicolao (talk | contribs) at 01:12, 25 August 2020 (recategorize). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Charles Covington Jr.
BornBaltimore, Maryland, U.S.
GenresJazz
OccupationMusician
InstrumentPiano
Websitecharlescovingtonjazz.com

Charles Covington Jr. is an American jazz pianist and a U.S. Life Master in chess.

Career

A native of Baltimore, Covington became interested in jazz when the high school principal broadcast music by Errol Garner and Ahmad Jamal on the intercom.[1] He served in the U.S. Army, attended the Peabody Conservatory of Music, and learned piano and organ at the Hammond School of Music.[1] He performed in clubs and at the Royal Theater.[1] After the manager of George Benson heard Covington perform in New York City, he invited him to tour with Benson.[1] He also worked with Ethel Ennis, J.J. Johnson, O'Donel Levy, and Nathan Page.[1]

An interest in chess led Covington to chess clubs in New York. He has been certified a Life Master by the U.S. Chess Federation and is considered one of the top black chess players in the country. He has written books on chess, checkers, and math.[1] For twenty years he taught at the Peabody Conservatory, then at Howard University. Covington has also performed as a magician.[1] He was the pianist for the television program BET on Jazz.[2]

Awards and honors

  • On the cover of Expo magazine as Jazz Musician of the Year, 1983[1]
  • Jazz pianist in residence, Kennedy Center[1]
  • Life Master, U.S. Chess Federation[1]

Discography

As leader

  • It's Time for Love (Jazz Karma, 1992)

As sideman

With O'Donel Levy

With Nathen Page

  • Page 1 (Hugo's Music, 1977)
  • Page 2 (Hugo's Music, 1978)
  • Plays Pretty for the People (Hugo's Music, 1979)

With others

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Jones, Brian (28 March 2019). "Charles Covington, Gentle Genius". Baltimore Jazz. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  2. ^ Cary, Emily (16 August 2012). "Baltimore's Renaissance man in concert". Washington Examiner. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charles_Covington&oldid=974787553"