DRUMS – ANDRE CHARLIER

Born in VERVIERS (Belgium) in 1962. André Charlier began playing drums in 1978. He studied at the Liège Conservatory in the Jazz class and took lessons with Vinnie Johnson and Bruno Castellucci. He studied at the Musician Institute of Los Angeles in 1985-1986.

In 1988-1989, he began a series of tours with the singer Maurane. Winner of the Concours de la Défense in 1989, he won the prize for best soloist at the international francophone jazz competition in 1991. With his alter/ego Benoît Sourisse, they created the Charlier-Sourisse tandem. (9 albums and close collaborations with Jerry Bergonzi, Kenny Garrett, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Alex Sipiagin, Nick Smart, Louis Winsberg, Perico Sambeat…)

Stage partner of Didier Lockwood since 1993, with whom he recorded several albums, including the last one “Apesantar” in 2016. Records many albums for various artists, film soundtracks etc…. He also performs with many groups and artists such as Captain, Jean-Jacques Milteau, Michel Petrucciani, John Scofield, Scott Henderson, Toots Thielemans, Philip Catherine, Jean-Marie Ecay, Stéphane Guillaume, Mighty Mo Rodgers, Dave Liebman, Randy Brecker…

Passionate about pedagogy, he is co-founder and co-pedagogical director of the CMDL, professor of rhythm and drums and speaker in many stages and conservatories. With Benoît Sourisse, he created a new jazz method called “les Cahiers Charlier/Sourisse” (supported in particular by François-René Duchâble, Jerry Bergonzi, etc.) published by Leduc.

The Charlier/Sourisse duo is very active on the jazz scene. They recently released “Le Monde à l’Envers”, a double album with original compositions in trio with Louis Winsberg and guests such as Stéphane Guillaume, Tierney Sutton, and Tchéky Karyo.