Live from the Great Sand Dunes
Jazz standards for the cocktail hour, a full band for the dance floor, and a deep love of the maqamat of the Middle East — studied and played with care. Tell me what your day calls for.
Hi, I'm Charlie!
I'm a saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist based in Colorado. Most weeks that means jazz: standards for a cocktail hour, a combo for a listening room, a horn for the dance floor. It also means the music I've spent years studying — the Arabic and Turkish maqam traditions, and the wider Middle Eastern repertoire — learned from teachers, from recordings, and from the musicians and dancers I'm honored to share a stage with. I come to it as a student and a guest: I play it with care, and I credit where it comes from. Saxophone, keys, saz, doumbek, ney, duduk — whatever the night calls for, I show up prepared and play like it matters.
— Charlie
Work with meThe company I keep
The bands and ensembles I play with, from Middle Eastern maqamat to big band. Dive deep as much as you like.
Lead Musician & Bandleader
My flagship ensemble — Saxophone, Oud, and Doumbek. Orientale plays the classics, from the music of the Egyptian Golden Era of Belly Dance to the folk musics of Andalusia, Egypt, the Levant, Turkey, and much more. Orientale appears at a number of events from weddings to cultural events and concert showcases.
VisitSaxophone
High-energy Middle Eastern and Levantine Pop Classics intermixed with a couple of custom songs from band leader Mona Ayoub. In addition to playing all around the Denver area, HabiBeats plays at LGBTQIA+ events and brings to the world “Happy Beats” for immigrants of all identities.
VisitSaxophone
2nd Alto in the Saturday Big Band — classic American Big Band sound under the direction of Colorado trumpeter and educator Dr. Hugh Ragin.
VisitSaxophone
Alto sax in the CO Jazz Workshop Saturday Combo Quintet. Small-group jazz with lots of improvisation — standards, blues, and the freedom of the combo setting where every voice gets to speak.
VisitPrivate events, cocktail hours, concerts, dinner shows, and weddings — solo saxophone to the full ensemble, jazz standards to Middle Eastern maqam. Tell me about your day and I'll send a quote.
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