Charles Fowlkes

Charlie Fowlkes ( born February 16, 1916 in New York; † February 9, 1980 in Dallas, Texas ) was an American jazz musician.

Fowlkes learned alto and tenor saxophone, clarinet and violin, before focusing on the baritone saxophone; he occasionally played the flute. Fowlkes worked first in New York and played 1938-1944 with Tiny Bradshaw. Then he was a member of the bands of Lionel Hampton ( 1944-1948 ) and Arnett Cobb (up to 1951). He then worked from 1953 until his death as a baritone saxophonist in the Count Basie Orchestra.

He was married to singer Wini Brown and was also their manager.