Born and raised in the Boston area, Charles Vatalaro was a regular on the local club circuit by his mid teens. His first big break came as a member of the Greater Boston Youth Jazz Ensemble led by the legendary John LaPorta. A stint in the 18th U.S. Army Band followed where he was a featured soloist on clarinet and saxophone, as well as staff arranger. After the Army, Charlie received a B.A. degree in Jazz History from the UMASS Amherst, and an M.A. degree in Jazz Techniques from Goddard College, with major studies in the role of the jazz musician in higher education.
Over the years he has been a sideman or opening act for such musical heavyweights as Cannonball Adderley, Roland Kirk, Aretha Franklin, Patty La Belle, B. B. King, Tom Jones, Debbie Reynolds, The Lettermen, The Vogues, Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme, to name a few.
A respected woodwind artist, clinician, arranger, and record producer, Charlie is currently Director of Recording and Broadcast Services at the University at Albany. He is also a featured saxophone soloist and musical director with blues legend, Ernie Williams. For more information about Charles Vatalaro, please visit his web site: charlievatalaro.com.