Jean Paul Charles

[michaell]

I have very sad news to report. JP Charles died at the end of July in his home city of Salvador, Brazil. For those who didn't know him, he was an excellent swing and choro player on the bandolim as well as on his innovative electro-acoustics.

I met him in Salvador in 1999 and he was extremely warm and gracious, as well as modest, given his status as one of the leading luthiers and players in Bahia. He played in the Banda Base in the 1990s in Salvador and he was a mandolinist of note in France prior to his emigration to Brazil. He built many instruments, including bandolims, guittara baianas, guitars and even basses; the bandolim that he built for me is exceptional.
He is survived by his wife, the singer Matilde Charles.

www.sojournerrecords.com

[ald]

How, very sad. I wrote to him about five years ago about obtaining a couple of jazz-oriented mandolin recording he made when he was still living in France. He was very gracious. Very good the recording are, too.

[Ted Eschliman]

Rest in peace, Jean Paul

[Annette Siegel]

I have very sad news to report. JP Charles died at the end of July in his home city of Salvador, Brazil. For those who didn't know him, he was an excellent swing and choro player on the bandolim as well as on his innovative electro-acoustics.

I met him in Salvador in 1999 and he was extremely warm and gracious, as well as modest, given his status as one of the leading luthiers and players in Bahia. He played in the Banda Base in the 1990s in Salvador and he was a mandolinist of note in France prior to his emigration to Brazil. He built many instruments, including bandolims, guittara baianas, guitars and even basses; the bandolim that he built for me is exceptional.
He is survived by his wife, the singer Matilde Charles.

www.sojournerrecords.com

How very sad indeed. : ( I bought some old Gibbie mandolin parts from him not too long ago. He was so very sweet and happy to talk about/share Luthier ideas. Thank you for posting this premature/sad passing.

[Jim Garber]

That is sad. I did not know him but I admired his work and the gracefulness of his designs.