Charnett Moffett


Charnett Moffett was an American jazz bassist and composer. He was an apparent child prodigy. Moffett began playing bass in the family band, touring the Far East in 1975 at the age of eight. In the mid-1980s, he played with Wynton Marsalis and Branford Marsalis.
In 1987, he recorded his debut album Netman for Blue Note Records. He worked with Art Blakey, Ornette Coleman, Pharoah Sanders, Dizzy Gillespie, Ellis Marsalis, Sonny Sharrock, Stanley Jordan, Wallace Roney, Arturo Sandoval, Courtney Pine, David Sanborn, David Sánchez, Dianne Reeves, Frank Lowe, Harry Connick, Jr., Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Kenny Garrett, Kenny Kirkland, Kevin Eubanks, Lew Soloff, Manhattan Jazz Quintet, Melody Gardot, Mulgrew Miller and Tony Williams.
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Early life and career

Charnett Moffett attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City and later studied at Mannes College of Music and the Juilliard School of Music. In 1983, he played on saxophonist Branford Marsalis' debut as a leader, Scenes in the City, and the following year he joined trumpeter Wynton Marsalis’ quintet, appearing on 1985's Grammy-winning Black Codes (From the Underground). During the 1980s, Moffett also worked with Stanley Jordan, appearing on the guitarist's best-selling 1985 Blue Note debut, Magic Touch, as well as two Blue Note albums with drummer Tony Williams’ quintet: 1987's Civilization and 1988's Angel Street. In 1987, Moffett signed with Blue Note and debuted as a leader that year with his first of three albums for the label, NetMan which featured Michael Brecker, Kenny Kirkland and Al Foster. His second Blue Note release, Beauty Within was a family affair featuring his father Charles Moffett on drums, older brothers Mondre Moffett on trumpet, Charles Moffett, Jr on tenor sax, Codaryl Moffett on drums, and his sister Charisse on vocals. Also featured were Kenny Garrett on alto saxophone, and Stanley Jordan on guitar. His third Blue Note release, Nettwork, produced by Kenny Kirkland, especially focused on Moffett's piccolo bass and electric bass work.
In 1993, Moffett recorded Rhythm & Blood for Sweet Basil's Apollon Records. A mix of jazz and pop, it placed high on the music charts in Japan. He later scored artistic triumphs on the Evidence label with 1994's Planet Home and 1997's Still Life, featuring keyboardist Rachel Z and drummer Cindy Blackman. Starting in 1993 for several years Moffett was widely acclaimed for his innovative performances as a member of Pharoah Sanders' touring band. In 1996, Moffett appeared on two simultaneous releases by Ornette Coleman — Sound Museum: Hidden Man and Sound Museum: Three Women. Another 1997 recording, Acoustic Trio for Teichiku Records, showcased Moffett's acoustic bass playing. Three other '90s recordings for the Sweet Basil/Evidence label were done under the collective name of General Music Project and The Visit, and was a featured soloist on Howard Shore's score for The Score.

Later career

In 2008, Moffett signed with Motéma Music releasing The Art of Improvisation in May 2009 and Treasure in June 2010. The Art of Improvisation was his Motéma debut, overdubbing electric bass guitar, piccolo bass and acoustic upright bass. Joined by drummers Will Calhoun and Eric McPherson and Tibetan vocalist Yungchen Lhamo, the release references Asian and Middle Eastern influences.
Treasure, while sharing some of the Asian and Middle Eastern influences of The Art of Improvisation, has an emphasis on the swing and pulse for which Moffett has become known. The release, while his second on Motéma, marked his eleventh as a leader. Once again on Treasure, he uses his three-pointed bass method to express his distinct musicality: his upright acoustic bass, his fretless electric bass and his electric piccolo bass. The Making of Treasure, a documentary directed and narrated by Moffett, is included as enhanced content on the CD. Treasure was also released by King Records in Japan and by Membran International in the EU.
Moffett worked in duo with Jana Herzen on her sophomore release Passion of A Lonely Heart, playing the upright bass and electric bass.
In 2013, he released The Bridge: Solo Bass Works and Spirit of Sound, both on Motéma Music. To celebrate his thirtieth year as a recording artist, Moffett released his first live album, Music From Our Soul, also on Motéma, featuring his long time jazz compatriots Pharoah Sanders, Stanley Jordan, Cyrus Chestnut, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Victor Lewis and Mike Clarke.
In 2019, Moffett released Bright New Day in collaboration with the members of his touring band, violinist Scott Tixier, keyboardist Brian Jackson, drummer Mark Whitfield, Jr, and singer/guitarist Jana Herzen.

Death

Moffett died at Stanford University Hospital on April 11, 2022, due to a heart attack. He was 54.

Discography

As leader

Net Man Beauty Within Nettwork Rhythm & Blood Planet Home – rec. 1993–1994Still Life Acoustic Trio For the Love of Peace Internet The Art of Improvisation Treasure Spirit of Sound The Bridge Music from Our Soul Bright New Day Round the World
  • ''New Love''

As a member

General Music Project

Co-leader with Kenny GarrettGeneral Music Project with Charles Moffett and Geri AllenBlacker with Charles Moffett and Cyrus ChestnutGeneral Music Project II with the same musiciansMr. J.P. with Louis Hayes and Carlos McKinney

As sideman

With Kenny Drew Jr.The Rainbow Connection The Flame Within A Look Inside
With Kenny GarrettGarrett 5 - recorded in 1988Prisoner of Love African Exchange Student Black Hope Stars & Stripes Live Triology Old Folks with John Scofield, Michael Brecker and David Friesen Happy People Standard of Language
With Stanley JordanMagic Touch Cornucopia Stolen Moments Live in New York New Morning State of Nature
As Manhattan Jazz QuintetManhattan Jazz Quintet Autumn Leaves Concierto De Aranjuez The Original Voice Teen Town Come Together Tribute to Art Blakey Autumn in New York La Fiesta Take Five
With Donald BrownThe Sweetest Sounds Send One Your Love
With Kevin EubanksTurning Point Live
With Ornette ColemanSound Museum: Hidden Man Sound Museum: Three Women
With Branford MarsalisScenes in the City Royal Garden Blues
With Mulgrew MillerWork! Wingspan
With Courtney PineWithin the Realms of Our Dreams Modern Day Jazz Stories
With Rachel ZTrust the Universe Room of One's Own
With Dianne ReevesThe Nearness of You I Remember
With Wallace RoneyVerses The Standard Bearer
With Howard ShoreThe Score Maps to the Stars
With John StubblefieldBushman Song Countin' On the Blues
With McCoy TynerLand of Giants Afro Blue - compilationsTrio Live in Gdynia
With Sadao WatanabeParker's Mood - Sadao Watanabe Live at Bravas Club '85 Tokyo Dating
With Tony WilliamsCivilization Angel Street
With others