Quarantine Concert Series_#133: Charles Covington Solo Jazz Piano

An die Musik Live!

409 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201

Charles Covington

A virtuoso pianist, organist and spectacular talent, Covington’s musical performances are  enlightening and entertaining. His mastery of the keyboard is astonishing.

**This is access to a recording of the live performance on our stage on Nov. 8, 2020.**

Following a stint in the army, Covington returned to Baltimore determined to learn music and play jazz. He enrolled at the Peabody Conservatory, taking the only class offered in jazz. Ironically, he was not allowed to attend classes. He took his instruction in this teacher’s home because people of color were not welcomed at Peabody at that time. Undaunted, Covington taught himself piano and organ at the Hammond Music School in Baltimore, spending 50 cents an hour to learn in their practice rooms.

According to Covington, his real music education came from his haunting of clubs on the famed Baltimore Street in downtown Baltimore that provided him opportunities to hear a myriad of musicians and musical styles. While his skills were in their infancy, he apprenticed himself to a local singer named Peaches who took a liking to him and took him under her wing. As Covington explained, Peaches exposed the neophyte, who never drank or smoked, to Baltimore’s club world. His challenge was to learn and play from her personal songbook. 

Under Peaches’ mentorship, Covington got to know all the musicians “on the block,” memorizing twelve to fifteen songs daily so he could play anything. Experiencing disparate treatment from a musician’s union that favored whites, he and other musicians of color were required “not to stand out” during the breaks in the clubs where they played.

As Covington’s fame grew, he studied Fats Waller, Ray Charles, Wild Bill Davis, and Jimmy Smith. He perfected his use of the sustain pedal on the B-3. Musicians spread the word about this young “cat” who could play anything. Earning “steady money” and developing a loyal following, Covington became an opening act at the Royal Theater in Baltimore. His big break came when a local drummer invited him to play in New York. In the audience was George Benson’s manager, who after hearing him play invited him to tour and play with Benson. Ironically, while the money was good, there were times when things were slow and “tight” on the road. With a growing family in Baltimore, Covington took up chess. In an effort to make ends meet, he’d haunt the chess clubs in New York where he “hustled” chess. True to form, Covington was obsessed with chess and became one of the top ten black chess players in America. He still enjoys “Life Master” status granted by the United States Chess Federation.

Three years on and off the road with Benson took a toll on Covington, and the rigors of family life required his presence at home. As a regular in the Baltimore and Washington music scene who was equally adept at piano or organ, he earned a solid living working with many bands. He toured in Europe and China with various groups. When asked why he never signed a record contract, his response was simple and direct: “I wanted to control my music.”

His renown and expertise as a jazz pianist and organist garnered the attention of the Peabody Conservatory of Music who, after his early experience there, hired him to teach jazz piano. His tenure there lasted twenty years. He also added to his resume a twelve-year stint as a professor of piano at Howard University.

As jazz pianist in residence at the Kennedy Center, Covington performs there annually. One needs only to search YouTube to see his stellar performances on the K.C. Millennium Stage with a host of notable musicians and his many concerts at Howard University. Charles Covington, pianist, organist, chess master, mathematician, magician . . . gentle genius.

Streaming cost is $7
Donations are welcomed

Visit Website
Watch Video

Upcoming Events

Thu, July 24, 7:00 PM

Justin Lees Trio Annual Summer Concert

In-person Attendance →

Thu, July 24, 7:00 PM

Justin Lees Trio Annual Summer Concert (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Sat, September 6, 7:00 PM

Ana Vidovic - annual solo classical guitar concert

In-person Attendance →

Sat, September 6, 7:00 PM

Ana Vidovic - annual solo classical guitar concert

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Thu, September 18, 7:30 PM

The Clara Campbell Collective

In-person Attendance →

Thu, September 18, 7:30 PM

The Clara Campbell Collective (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Fri, September 19, 7:00 PM

Todd Marcus Quintet featuring Virginia MacDonald

In-person Attendance - select for both sets option →

Fri, September 19, 7:00 PM

Todd Marcus Quintet featuring Virginia MacDonald

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Fri, September 19, 9:00 PM

Todd Marcus Quintet featuring Virginia MacDonald

In-person Attendance →

Quarantine Concert Series_#115: Carl Cornwell Quartet

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series_#116: Bill Heid Trio Three-peat

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series_#117: Wolf/Patrick/Jackson

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series_#118: Greg Thompkins and Olde SkooL Band

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series_#119: Cellist Sydney Bennett

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series_#121: Renee Tannenbaum Trio

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series #47: Bill Heid Trio

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series_#122: Amit Peled: Beethoven's 250th Celebration

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series #48: Lafayette Gilchrist & Kevin Pinder

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series_#123: Gabrielle Goodman and Friends

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series #49: Ronn McFarlane, lutenist

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series_#124: Eric Kennedy and Joel Santiago

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series_#125: Linda Harris and Light Switch Band

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series_#126: Mayu Saeki, flute & Warren Wolf, piano

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series # 9: Robin Bullock

Video of his Quarantine Concert #9 →

Streaming Concert_#314: Chris Barrick Band

Get Web Access to the Video →

Streaming Concert_#315: Mathuin Smith Quartet Live Stream

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series_#230: Peravon Jazz Trio

Get Web Access to the Video →

Streaming Concert_#316: Brendan Brady/Pierre/ Seppa/Birckhead

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series_#233: Ginger's Palace

Get Web Access to the Video →

Streaming Concert_#317: Langston Hughes II Quartet

Get Web Access to the Video →

Donation to Support An die Musik Live and Musicians

Click to Donate to ADM Live →