Charlie Fowlkes
b. 16 February 1916, New York City, New York, USA, d. 9 February 1980. Although able to play a variety of instruments, Fowlkes appeared to recognize early on in life that he was destined to be an unsung section musician. He adopted the baritone saxophone as his chosen instrument and spells with Tiny Bradshaw and Lionel Hampton beginning in 1938 kept him busy for a decade. In the late '40s he was in Arnett Cobb's small band and then, in 1951, he became one of the most reliable members of the Count Basie band, remaining there until 1969. Six years later he was back in the band, which was where he remained until his death in 1980.