Charles Gayle

Charles Gayle (born February 28, 1939 - died September 7, 2023) was a free jazz saxophonist, pianist, bass clarinetist, and percussionist. He lived in New York.

Some of Gayle's history is unclear. He was apparently homeless for roughly 20 years, playing saxophone on street corners and subway platforms around New York City. In 1988, he gained fame through a trio of albums recorded by a Swedish label, Silkheart Records. Since then he has become a major figure in free jazz, recording for labels including Black Saint, Knitting Factory Records, FMP, [1] and Clean Feed. He has also taught music at Bennington College.