Charlie Bourgeois, who was George Wein’s director of public relations and right-hand man for over 60 years, died at the age of 94 on January 26, 2014, but I’ve read very little about it. Bourgeois was active on the Boston jazz scene even before Wein hired him at Storyville in 1951. Two events in particular stand out.
Pee Wee Russell and Charlie Bourgeois at Newport, sometime in the sixties. Photo Newport Jazz Festival.
The first was his staging of “a recital of contemporary music” at the John Hancock Hall in October 1949 with the trio of Mary Lou Williams and the sextet of Lennie Tristano, which included Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh. It was Tristano’s first Boston appearance, and the concert program attempted to prepare the listeners for Tristano’s way-out music: “Tristano seeks optimum conditions and an intelligent audience for the performance of his music. It all may seem strange to the untrained ear but the music concepts that Tristano conveys may be assimilated by all who are eager to hear. Contemplation is required in the appreciation of any art.” Clearly, Bourgeois wasn’t sure that the Boston audience was as ready for the sound of modern jazz as he himself was.
The second was Boston’s first jazz festival, on May 21, 1950, part of the Mid-Century Boston Jubilee. Bourgeois produced it, at the Parkman Bandstand on the Boston Common. Five bands worked their way through the history of jazz. They were Frankie Newton’s All Star Orchestra, singer Alice Ross Groves with her trio, Nat Pierce’s Orchestra, the Charlie Mariano Boptet featuring Serge Chaloff, and Ruby Braff’s Quintet.
There were no jazz festivals anywhere yet, and the whole idea was so unusual that Billboard called it a “jazz festival,” in quotes, in their May 6 issue. No doubt Charlie’s experience proved useful in planning the first Newport festival in 1954.
Bourgeois produced at least a half-dozen of the early sessions for Storyville Records in 1953-55, and he assisted in producing most of the live sessions recorded at the Storyville club for other labels. He also arranged Teddi King’s audition with George Shearing. He subsequently hired her to work with his Quintet, the only singer to do so.
Bourgeois provided other services to the local jazz community. He organized benefit concerts and acted as Storyville’s liaison with the Teenage Jazz Club (Storyville was the TJC’s clubhouse). He organized a significant exhibit of jazz artifacts in summer 1959 at the Boston Public Library that included one of Bix’s cornets, loaned by his family.
Charlie was famous for his taste in clothing from his Boston days onward, and a longtime customer at Charlie Davidson’s Andover Shop on Harvard Square. He introduced Miles Davis, Paul Desmond, Roy Haynes, and other well-dressed men of jazz to the shop as well.
Bourgeois went to New York with Wein in 1960, and over time became something of a behind-the-scenes legend in the concert and festival promotion business. He preferred life behind the scenes, I think. I called him in 2006 to request an interview for The Boston Jazz Chronicles. “You did great work in Boston,” I said. “You staged the first jazz festival, and produced records by Sidney Bechet, and sent jazz bands to entertain in the military hospitals. You should share your story in this book.” He declined. “Talk to George,” he said. “You gotta talk to George.”
I hung out with Charlie in Newport the summers of 1955 and 1956. He was George Wein’s right hand and I, at age 20, was employed by Louis and Elaine Lorillard as their houseboy at their villa” Quatrel”. As you know the Lorillards founded the now renowned Jazz Festival. Charlie and I had many jolly times together, including tea with Miss Edith Wetmore whose villa “Chateau Sur Mere” is now open to the public. I vividly remember his introducing me to the Andover Shop in Boston, many jazz greats, and his goofy personal expressions. (For instance he called cigarettes “say grets” and taking a shower “shaking a tower.”) I was so sad when he passed several years ago, a colorful and unforgettable personality. I am now 88.
Fredrick, thank you for sharing these warm memories of Charlie. I would love to hear more about that tea with Miss Wetmore, not known to be a fan of jazz or the festival.
Yo! Uncle Charlie was my great uncle and what an amazing cat! If you can dig it I would love to hear more!
Charlie was indeed an amazing cat, and I wish I had more to tell you about his Boston days. But if you’ve got some stories of your own about Charlie, I’d like to hear them!
I loved Charlie and knew him for close to 60 years. he was “one in a million”. there will never be another Charlie. as was said by Ellen, he knew just about everything that was interesting. I’m just grateful that he led a long and enjoyable life and he lived it “his way”!
Hello Valerie, I’ve heard from quite a few readers regarding their friend Charlie, and I’m hoping a few more folks who knew him take the time to write their thoughts—Charlie’s friends want to share them. Thanks for stopping by–
Thank you for telling me more about the early days of my dear friend CB. I loved him like mad, and miss him like mad. No one better to dine with, enjoy music with, or get the inside scoop from. Can you dig it? Love you Charlie!
My Auntie Ann & Uncle Karl (Boston) have been waiting a long time for him. Now heaven will swing!
Not swinging yet, Ellen. I don’t think Charlie’s made it through the receiving line yet…
I am so so sad to hear about Charlie.
I spent time with him over the years here in New York.. He was a friend of my Aunt Ann & Uncle Karl (Boston). Growing up in Boston I went with them to Storyville many times.
There wasn’t a thing CB didn’t know, what to do, where to go, what restaurant was new.
And every so often I’d get a CD that he thought I would enjoy. I will miss him very much.
Ellen, thank you for adding your remembrance of Charlie. I don’t know of anyone in the jazz community who had as many friends as he did.