Charles Covington

A native of Baltimore, Covington became interested in jazz when the high school principal broadcast music by Erroll Garner and Ahmad Jamal on the intercom.[1] He served in the U.S. Army, attended the Peabody Institute, and learned piano and organ at the Hammond School of Music.[1] He performed in clubs and at the Royal Theater.[1] After the manager of George Benson heard Covington perform in New York City, he invited him to tour with Benson.[1] He also worked with Ethel Ennis, J.J. Johnson, O'Donel Levy, and Nathan Page.[1]

An interest in chess led Covington to chess clubs in New York. He has been certified a Life Master by the U.S. Chess Federation and is considered one of the top black chess players in the country. He has written books on chess, checkers, and math.[1] For twenty years he taught at the Peabody Conservatory, then at Howard University. Covington has also performed as a magician.[1] He was the pianist for the television program BET on Jazz.[2]

• On the cover of Expo magazine as Jazz Musician of the Year, 1983[1]
• Jazz pianist in residence, Kennedy Center[1]
• Life Master, U.S. Chess Federation[1]

• Official site
• The Talking Drum
• Kennedy Center