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Charles Covington

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Charles Covington Jr.
BornBaltimore, Maryland, U.S.
GenresJazz
OccupationMusician
InstrumentPiano
Websitecharlescovingtonjazz.com

Charles Covington Jr. is an American jazz pianist and a U.S. Life Master in chess.

Career

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A native of Baltimore, Covington became interested in jazz when the high school principal broadcast music by Erroll Garner and Ahmad Jamal on the intercom.[1] He served in the U.S. Army, attended the Peabody Institute, and learned piano and organ at the Hammond School of Music.[1] He performed in clubs and at the Royal Theater.[1] After the manager of George Benson heard Covington perform in New York City, he invited him to tour with Benson.[1] He also worked with Ethel Ennis, J.J. Johnson, O'Donel Levy, and Nathan Page.[1]

An interest in chess led Covington to chess clubs in New York. He has been certified a Life Master by the U.S. Chess Federation and is considered one of the top black chess players in the country. He has written books on chess, checkers, and math.[1] For twenty years he taught at the Peabody Conservatory, then at Howard University. Covington has also performed as a magician.[1] He was the pianist for the television program BET on Jazz.[2]

Awards and honors

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  • On the cover of Expo magazine as Jazz Musician of the Year, 1983[1]
  • Jazz pianist in residence, Kennedy Center[1]
  • Life Master, U.S. Chess Federation[1]

Discography

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As leader

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  • It's Time for Love (Jazz Karma, 1992)

As sideman

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With O'Donel Levy

With Nathen Page

  • Page 1 (Hugo's Music, 1977)
  • Page 2 (Hugo's Music, 1978)
  • Plays Pretty for the People (Hugo's Music, 1979)

With others

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Jones, Brian (28 March 2019). "Charles Covington, Gentle Genius". Baltimore Jazz. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  2. ^ Cary, Emily (16 August 2012). "Baltimore's Renaissance man in concert". Washington Examiner. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
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