The Musical Maverick

A shaky economy and evolving technology have sent many professions into a tailspin. In the music industry, adaptation is what separates those who survive from those who perish. Charlie Hunter has used this skill to remain one step ahead of the curve and achieve success on his own terms.
Since the early 1990s, Hunter has earned critical acclaim for his dexterity on the eight-string guitar, a custom-made instrument that combined five guitar strings with three bass strings. (He switched to playing a seven-string guitar in 2006.) But what really makes him stand out is he's a thinking person's musician -- one who pushes the envelope in terms of what a guitar can do and collaborates with others to challenge the traditional boundaries of music. While artists with substance can be found in any genre, his lack of interest in mainstream approval strikes a chord -- no pun intended -- with sophisticated fans.
In a conversation before taking the stage at Drom in New York on August 20, Hunter revealed that it's getting harder for him to find an audience for his jazz-influenced sound. I found this observation to be ironic, since his recordings pale in comparison to his concerts. (Full disclosure: I first met him in 2001.) During his performance with keyboardist Erik Deutsch and drummer Tony Mason, they used their 90-minute set to play material from his upcoming album, Baboon Strength, along with tracks like "Drop a Dime" and even cover songs like The Roots' "The Seed 2.0."
The lounge's intimate setting allowed listeners to be transported into another world, whether they were sitting at a table or the bar. (I even got away with disregarding the venue's two-drink minimum policy.) On a personal level, I find Hunter's music appealing because it puts me in an introspective mood. As a writer, I can identify with the creative process that goes into pairing notes and melodies, constantly revising one's effort to compose a work that will stand the test of time. (Some of his songs are just as pleasing to the ears now as they were when I first discovered him in 2000.) Crafting quality music on a consistent basis is his hallmark; unfortunately, true musicians like him are becoming an endangered species.
Hunter's four-week residency at Drom ended on August 27, but he's far from done when it comes to performing. Here's a round of applause for music's most underappreciated road warrior.