Bio
Charles Foldesh is regarded as one of the most sought-after drummers in Asia, with extensive experience in both studio recording and live performances, and a reputation for his ability to seamlessly navigate across a wide range of music genres.
Charles began playing drums as an energetic ten year old in his native Prescott, Arizona, USA. 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.
Over the course of his career, Charles has performed and toured worldwide, appearing at festivals throughout the United States, Europe, South America and Asia. He has shared the stage with a distinguished roster of internationally recognized artists, among them Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Belgrave, Walter Blanding Jr., Theo Croker, Wayne Escoffery, Robin Eubanks, Laura Fygi, Roberta Gambarini, Slide Hampton, Alex Han, Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart, Jimmy Heath, Bryan Lynch, Lynne Arriale, Lisa Ono, Andy Summers, Zhang Yimou (张艺谋), Coco Zhao (赵可), Eugene Pao (包以正), and Peng Fei ( 彭飞).
Over the course of his career, Charles has performed and toured worldwide, appearing at festivals throughout the United States, Europe, South America and Asia. He has shared the stage with a distinguished roster of internationally recognized artists, among them Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Belgrave, Walter Blanding Jr., Theo Croker, Wayne Escoffery, Robin Eubanks, Laura Fygi, Roberta Gambarini, Slide Hampton, Alex Han, Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart, Jimmy Heath, Bryan Lynch, Lynne Arriale, Lisa Ono, Andy Summers, Zhang Yimou (张艺谋), Coco Zhao (赵可), Eugene Pao (包以正), and Peng Fei ( 彭飞).
Most recently, Charles served as the featured drummer for multi-instrumentalist/producer and BMG artist Chace (朱一涵) for his acclaimed “Anti-People Pleaser” national tour (2025-2026).
In 2021, he was hand-picked to perform in the iconic Chinese film director Zhang Yimou's concept theatre production, Apologue 2047 张艺谋《对话·寓言2047》. The landmark tour consisted of 12 performances across China.
Charles was previously 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 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).
Charles is consistently in demand in the studio, appearing on recordings across a broad spectrum of genres. Among his notable credits is prominent composer Peng Fei's debut album 3rd Month, which garnered three Golden Melody Award nominations (winning in one).
Noted for his passionate, swinging style, Charles was the drummer for trumpeter Theo Croker for nearly a decade (2003-2013) including a celebrated two-year residency with the Theo Croker Sextet at Shanghai's renowned Peace Hotel Jazz Bar from 2010-2012. He leads his own groups - including Charles Foldesh's Foldtet and the Charles Foldesh Trio - and is currently the house-band drummer at Heyday Vintage Jazz Lounge in Shanghai.
Charles is also a dedicated music educator, having served on faculty at such institutions as the JZ School, Western International School of Shanghai, and Rego International School. He has presented clinics and workshops throughout Asia, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Music in Us” Workshops, “Dynamix” All-China International Music Convention, Macau Jazz Week, and 9 Beats Music Education Schools' Clinics and Seminars. He continues to teach privately in Shanghai.
Charles is the author of Exercises and Phrases for the Melodic Jazz Drummer, published by Shanghai Music Publishing House in 2016.
Charles is consistently in demand in the studio, appearing on recordings across a broad spectrum of genres. Among his notable credits is prominent composer Peng Fei's debut album 3rd Month, which garnered three Golden Melody Award nominations (winning in one).
Noted for his passionate, swinging style, Charles was the drummer for trumpeter Theo Croker for nearly a decade (2003-2013) including a celebrated two-year residency with the Theo Croker Sextet at Shanghai's renowned Peace Hotel Jazz Bar from 2010-2012. He leads his own groups - including Charles Foldesh's Foldtet and the Charles Foldesh Trio - and is currently the house-band drummer at Heyday Vintage Jazz Lounge in Shanghai.
Charles is also a dedicated music educator, having served on faculty at such institutions as the JZ School, Western International School of Shanghai, and Rego International School. He has presented clinics and workshops throughout Asia, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Music in Us” Workshops, “Dynamix” All-China International Music Convention, Macau Jazz Week, and 9 Beats Music Education Schools' Clinics and Seminars. He continues to teach privately in Shanghai.
Charles is the author of Exercises and Phrases for the Melodic Jazz Drummer, published by Shanghai Music Publishing House in 2016.
With nearly two decades based in Shanghai, Charles Foldesh remains one of the most versatile and consistently working drummers in Asia.
Charles endorses Bosphorus Cymbals, Carnival Drums, Vater Drumsticks, and Remo Drumheads.
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