Charles Covington

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

Charles Covington Jr.
BornBaltimore, Maryland, U.S.
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsPiano
Websitecharlescovingtonjazz.com

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

gollark: Hmm, that does appear to be the case, in that case I will KEEP my XP.
gollark: Oh 🐝.
gollark: I invest 1XP in "do anything" and 1XP in hat conjuration.
gollark: Can I increase my "do anything" skill via XP?
gollark: I try to identify the conjuring noises, d6.

References

  1. 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.
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