He's been called everything from "Super Gregory" to a cultural phenomenon, and he is without doubt a Quebec superstar. He's Gregory Charles, host of In The Key of Charles.
Since 2001 Gregory Charles has hosted the extremely popular Des airs de toi on Radio Canada; now Radio 2 is proud to present Charles as host of the English-language In The Key of Charles. Every Sunday morning the astonishingly multi-talented Charles (pianist, actor, songwriter, conductor and broadcaster) sits down at the piano to share his love of music, from classical to jazz and pop. Each show's theme takes you on an insightful stream-of-consciousness journey through the encyclopedic musical mind of Charles. He'll play, chat, sing, spin discs, and most of all -- he'll entertain.
Gregory Charles
As an only child born to a French Canadian mother and a Trinidadian father, Gregory Charles quickly developed into a remarkable classical concert pianist. From the early age of 7 years old, he won many competitions and was invited to play for the Symphony Orchestra of Canada and representing the country in Paris, Mexico, and at Carnegie Hall in New York. Gregory's passion for music led him to study voice, string and wind instruments, ballet and tap dance.
Later on, while studying law at university, Gregory Charles became known by the Quebec, French and Asian public. He is recognized as an actor, a host of numerous variety and service programs on television and radio and as a performer of galas
and shows.
In December 2002, Gregory Charles' career took a different direction when his premier one man show Black and White experienced incredible notoriety, the first part is a biographical cabaret and the second part is an interpretation of the public's musical requests. The initial shows were presented in Laval, but the show eventually conquered the Bell Centre in Montreal and traveled to the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre Centre in Toronto and the Beacon Theatre in New York.
Black and White gained instant success with 87 performances, 325 000 spectators and astounding reviews and received the Canadian award for the best show in 2003, was credited platinum in 2004 and double platinum in 2005. In 2004, Gregory Charles, as lyricist and performer received the prestigious award for Quebec Personality of the Year.
Gregory Charles was inspired by the enormous success and special moments from Black and White, when he decided to release his album Gospel live in black and white which is certified gold and sells more than 75 000 copies. Gregory Charles continued his regular activities, just as he did during Black and White. Among other things, since 2001, he hosted a show on Radio-Canada, Des airs de toi, and for more than twenty years, he has directed a youth choir. Moreover, in 2005, he became ambassador and artistic director for the Mondial Choral Loto-Québec, a regular summer event which for the last two years presents a 15,000 person choir and entertains 500,000 spectators.
On December 16th, 2005, while completing the first part of Black and White at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Gregory fell from the stage fracturing his elbow. The injury required a surgical procedure and rehabilitation for several months. During his convalescence, Gregory experienced the need to compose his own songs.
On May 9th, 2006, a preliminary copy of I Think Of You, was sent to Quebec radio stations. The public's reaction was instantaneous and one month later, the song is among the Top 100 BDS English radio.
The album "I Think of You" has sold 160,361 copies in three weeks.
