Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on February 20, 1933, and died in Los Angeles on July 8, 1979, Charles Kynard learned to play the piano before turning his attention to the organ. In Kansas City, he led a trio, before settling in Los Angeles in 1963. As a member of Howard Roberts' quartet, he accompanied Les McCann, Clifford Scott and Sonny Stitt(My Father's Eye, 1963). From 1963 onwards, he recorded albums as a leader in the soul jazz movement: Where It's At for the Pacific Jazz label and Warm Winds with Buddy Collette, for World Pacific. Signed to Prestige, he produced the albums Professor Soul (1968), The Soul Brotherhood (1969), Reelin' with the Feelin' (1969), Afro-Disiac (1970) and Wa-Tu-Wa-Zu! (Beautiful People) (1970). Then, for the Mainstream label: Charles Kynard (1971), Woga (1972) and Your Mama Don't Dance (1973). Back in the spotlight during the acid jazz wave, two of his albums are included in the compilation Legends of Acid Jazz (1999).
