Bio
Charles Foldesh began playing drums as an energetic ten year old in his native Prescott, Arizona, USA. Since then, he has flourished as musician, and gone on to enjoy an accomplished career. He received a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies and Performance from the renowned Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he was the recipient of the prestigious John Coltrane Scholarship and studied under the instruction of jazz legend, Billy Hart.
Charles has performed and toured worldwide, appearing at festivals throughout the United States, Europe, South America and Asia. He has shared the stage with numerous internationally recognized artists, among them Marcus Belgrave, Claude Black, Walter Blanding Jr., Andres Boiarsky, Theo Croker, Wayne Escoffery, Robin Eubanks, Roberta Gambarini, Slide Hampton, Alex Han, Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart, Jimmy Heath, Bryan Lynch, Lynne Arriale, Tina May, Ian Shaw, Andy Summers, Zhang Yimou (张艺谋), Coco Zhao (赵可), Eugene Pao (包以正), and Peng Fei ( 彭飞).
Currently based in Shanghai, Charles has enjoyed a broad range of performance opportunities.
Charles has performed and toured worldwide, appearing at festivals throughout the United States, Europe, South America and Asia. He has shared the stage with numerous internationally recognized artists, among them Marcus Belgrave, Claude Black, Walter Blanding Jr., Andres Boiarsky, Theo Croker, Wayne Escoffery, Robin Eubanks, Roberta Gambarini, Slide Hampton, Alex Han, Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart, Jimmy Heath, Bryan Lynch, Lynne Arriale, Tina May, Ian Shaw, Andy Summers, Zhang Yimou (张艺谋), Coco Zhao (赵可), Eugene Pao (包以正), and Peng Fei ( 彭飞).
Currently based in Shanghai, Charles has enjoyed a broad range of performance opportunities.
In 2021, Charles was selected to be a featured performer in the iconic Chinese film director, Zhang Yimou's concept theatre show, Apologue 2047 张艺谋《对话·寓言2047》. The tour consisted of 12 performances across China.
Charles is the drummer for the hit television show for singers, called "The Chart" 北京卫视 《中歌会 CHART》. Guest singers in Season 1 have included: Zhao Chuan (趙傳), Radio Mars (火星电台), ALin (阿兰), Huang Qishan (黄绮珊), Shunza (順子), and Teng Ge Er (腾格尔). Previously, he was the house-band drummer for Asia's number one English speaking, night-time television talk show, Asia Uncut (season 2). The show was broadcast to more than 200 million viewers across 59 countries with such guests as Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen, Wang Lee Hom, Tom Arnold, Edward Norton, Aaron Eckhart, and Edison Chen, Lin Peng, Mandira Bedi and Prachi Desai.
In addition to performing, Charles is regularly in demand in the studio. He has been featured on numerous recordings across various genres (see discography), among them, prominent composer Peng Fei's debut album ("3rd Month"), which garnered Golden Melody Award nominations in 3 categories (winning in one).
Noted for his passionate, swinging style, Charles was featured nightly with the Theo Croker Sextet at Shanghai's renowned Peace Hotel Jazz Bar from 2010 - 2012. He leads his own groups, among them CFolds 5 (which served as the headline artist at the 2012 Macau Jazz Week), The Charles Foldesh Trio, and The "Foldtet". He is currently the house-band drummer at Heyday Vintage Jazz Lounge in Shanghai. An often sought after drummer for both studio recordings and live performances with musicians and singers from all over the world, Charles is tireless in his dedication to creating music.
Beyond performing, Charles is a very active and avid music educator. He maintains a busy private teaching schedule and has been a faculty member at such institutions as the JZ School, Western International School of Shanghai and Rego International School. He has given numerous clinics and workshops throughout Southeast Asia, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Music in Us” Workshops, “Dynamix” All-China International Music Convention, Macau Jazz Week Clinics/Workshops, and 9 Beats Music Education Schools' Clinics and Seminars. Charles currently teaches privately from his home studio in Shanghai.
Charles is the author of “Exercises and Phrases for the Melodic Jazz Drummer,” which was published by Shanghai Music Publishing House in 2016.
Charles endorses Bosphorus Cymbals, Carnival Drums, Vater Drumsticks, and Remo Drumheads.
In addition to performing, Charles is regularly in demand in the studio. He has been featured on numerous recordings across various genres (see discography), among them, prominent composer Peng Fei's debut album ("3rd Month"), which garnered Golden Melody Award nominations in 3 categories (winning in one).
Noted for his passionate, swinging style, Charles was featured nightly with the Theo Croker Sextet at Shanghai's renowned Peace Hotel Jazz Bar from 2010 - 2012. He leads his own groups, among them CFolds 5 (which served as the headline artist at the 2012 Macau Jazz Week), The Charles Foldesh Trio, and The "Foldtet". He is currently the house-band drummer at Heyday Vintage Jazz Lounge in Shanghai. An often sought after drummer for both studio recordings and live performances with musicians and singers from all over the world, Charles is tireless in his dedication to creating music.
Beyond performing, Charles is a very active and avid music educator. He maintains a busy private teaching schedule and has been a faculty member at such institutions as the JZ School, Western International School of Shanghai and Rego International School. He has given numerous clinics and workshops throughout Southeast Asia, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Music in Us” Workshops, “Dynamix” All-China International Music Convention, Macau Jazz Week Clinics/Workshops, and 9 Beats Music Education Schools' Clinics and Seminars. Charles currently teaches privately from his home studio in Shanghai.
Charles is the author of “Exercises and Phrases for the Melodic Jazz Drummer,” which was published by Shanghai Music Publishing House in 2016.
Charles endorses Bosphorus Cymbals, Carnival Drums, Vater Drumsticks, and Remo Drumheads.
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