Ezra Charles
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Ezra Charles is the stage name of Charles Helpinstill, founder of the company of the same name which makes portable amplified pianos for stage performance.
Ezra performs jump blues music with his group Ezra Charles and The Works in and aroung the Houston area. His group is unusual as it does not employ an upright or electric bass. Instead, Ezra himself plays the bass notes via a MIDI device in his piano, which produces a bass note for every piano key played below the "E" below middle "C". In addition to Ezra's piano/bass, the group contains a guitar, drums, and a 3-piece horn section.
Hailing from Beaumont, Texas, Charles is the author of a song called Beaumont Boys, which pays homage to many of the famous musicians from his hometown, including The Big Bopper, Johnny and Edgar Winter, and Harry James.
Ezra is known for his lively stage show, which often features his piano catching fire during particularly "heated" performances.
[edit] Discography
- Design for Living Boffo Records (1989)
- Modern Years Icarus Records (1993)
- Drive Time Icarus Records (1996)
- Texas Style Icarus Records (1998)
- Return of the Radio Avengers (Greatest Hits Vol. 1) Icarus Records (1998)
- Beaumont Boy Icarus Records (2001)
- Blues Lover Icarus Records (2006)
[edit] Videography
- Ezra Charles and the Works Live at the Howling Coyote Icarus Records (2006)
