Jazz artist to perform at Student Union

A contemporary jazz artist who combines a wide range of music genres with a newly acquired quartet will perform in the University Student Union, Saturday at 8 p.m.

At the ripe age of 28, Charlie Hunter has already released three albums and has performed with numerous established jazz artists, old and new.

The eight-string guitarist received his first guitar at the age of 12 and his first lessons began with rock music.

Hunter said the area he grew up in provided him with a wide range of music to connect with.

"Growing up in in Berkeley, we were exposed to all kinds of music, from the Dead Kennedys and Parliament Funkadelic to Art Blakey," Hunter said.

Hunter said all forms of music touch him. He described listening to the soulful music of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, the rock era of Jimi Hendrix and the old-school blues artists Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy.

Blue Note, the label Hunter is signed under, described his music as "combining a little bit of everything into one tremendous album."

During the years Hunter has established himself as an artist who proceeds his music with a heavy dose of humor.

"He's so incredible -- a natural. He brings to this band great sound, solos, and tunes as well as slapstick humor," said renowned jazz saxophonist Calder Sapnier.

In this year's album, Hunter said he wanted to break the stereotypes placed on him as having an "acid jazz and beat- bop" style.

"It's more jazz oriented," Hunter said. "It has a much looser feel than anything we've recorded so far. We wanted to emulate the stuff Cannonball Adderley, Big John Patton and Eddie Harris were doing back in the '60s, but update it with a modern twist."

Opening for the Charlie Hunter Quartet is a group that made an appearance at Cal State Long Beach earlier this semester, Home Made Gravey. The group describes their music as having an "electric mix of funk, jazz and soul that comes straight from the backburner roots of gospel."

Tickets for the concert can be purchased at the Student Union information booth or through Ticketmaster for $5 for students and $10 for the general public. Attendants must be at least 18 years of age.