Charles Overton & Friends

From our friends at PCMF:“When harpist Charles Overton blew the roof off at his Maine debut with PCMF @ SPACE in 2023, one attendee declared it “perhaps the greatest, most intimate, jazz performance of my life! Including NYC shows!” PCMF is thrilled to welcome Charles and friends back for an evening of original compositions, jazz standards, and ingenious pop covers; in partnership with the multi-disciplinary arts center SPACE.”

Boston-based harpist Charles Overton is known for bridging classical and jazz traditions, bringing a fresh, engaging perspective to every performance. As both second and substitute harpist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops, Overton has accompanied world-renowned artists such as Cynthia Erivo, Queen Latifah, and Terence Blanchard. His chamber music experience is extensive, including performances with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Winsor Music, and the Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia, as well as appearances at the Yellow Barn and Marlboro Music Festivals.

A passionate jazz musician, Overton collaborates regularly with artists like Shabaka and Ganavya and has appeared at major venues and festivals throughout North America, including Big Ears Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, NYC Winter JazzFest, and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Upcoming engagements include the North Sea Jazz Festival and Montreux Jazz Festival in summer 2025. He remains an active presence in jazz clubs in New York and Boston.

Originally from Richmond, VA, Overton began his musical journey with the American Youth Harp Ensemble and later attended Interlochen Arts Academy. He went on to study at Berklee College of Music, where he also participated in the Berklee Global Jazz Institute. Overton serves on the faculty of both the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and Yellow Barn.

In addition to performing, Overton writes and arranges his own original music and is a core member of projects such as Trio Oko and Wild Tapestry. He is currently working on new music as a follow-up to his debut album, Convergence.

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