Charles Xavier

Charles Xavier, aka “The Xman,” is a visionary producer, composer, electronic musician and percussionist based in the Bay Area. He has been the seeking force to build something new for multiple businesses and endeavors in the music and recording industries for the past 30 years, and he is releasing a new series of ep’s titled XBOOM. Almost a decade in production since 2012, BOSCO (named after his beloved 160 lb. Newfoundland/Bernese Mountain Dog) will continue his Xman drama with the first single titled “The Dreamer” (Grammy 2016 1st round Nominations for Best Dance Recording and Best Instrumental Composition).

For the upcoming XBOOM premiere at the Center for New Music Aug 17th, The Xman will experiment with triggered sound cycles, video and graphics for a trans-media piece titled XBOOM 2020 and he will be performing both as a programmer/mixer and with a Jazz-based ensemble for his “XBOOM 2020.” For the tour he has created amazing arrangements of ambient vibraphone infused with electronic music two drum sets cascading left to right and digital FX, plus an arsenal of custom X-sounds controlled by midi or Bluetooth for expressive real-time control. Against this wall of sound are his cohorts of sound manipulation trumpeter/electronic artist Clifford Brown III, and guitarist/violinist Matt Montgomery. Sometimes known as the Neo-Jazzmen, the Cow Walk Orchestra, or as in the present XBOOM.

Although his eclectic music defines fusion, the artistic demands of Jazz have always been the Xman’s driving force. A jazz drummer from the age of sixteen, Xavier was born and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where the East Coast jazz scene shaped and defined his musical tastes. He went on to study arrangement and composition at Berklee College of Music in Boston. From there he studied drumming at the Creative Music Studio in Woodstock, New York, with Jack DeJohnette, Bobby Moses, Stu Martin, and Jumma Santos, and also creative ensemble performance under the guidance of Karl Berger, Dave Holland, Kalaparusha, and John Abercrombie.

Xavier has released a variety of music in the years since. The XMan Cometh – Expect the Unexpected introduced The XMan as an emcee of sorts, who boldly questions the status quo. You’ll hear the unexpected: thick, funky bass beats and the sweet tones of the vibraphone coupled with screaming horns and driving drum lines, with stories of sex, eroticism, politics, and street hustle. His fifth release, Perfect Mold (Best Jazz Instrumental- 1st round Nominations-Grammy 2014), features genre-fusing original compositions along with his unique spin on rock and pop classics, including “Hey Jude,” “Blowing in the Wind,” “The Beat Goes On,” “Fire and Rain,” “Eleanor Rigby”, and “Leaving on a Jet Plane.”

Always exploring new styles of music, Charles released Xmas Vibe in 2010, an album of eclectic and creative interpretations of traditional and contemporary Christmas songs. Called “a project deserving of a wider audience,” by , Xmas Vibe features covers such as John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (The War is Over)” and the classic “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman.” Enchanting, mystical, and creatively abstract, the album takes the listener on a harmonious and melodic musical journey through a magical winter landscape with style and unusual flair.

The album was released in stereo and 5.1 surround sound, possibly the only Holiday music offering available in the latter format.

Charles created his own independent record label, Happy Note Records, in 2005, and since then the Xman has been performing his experimental, Ambient Rock, Jazz, World Music and New Age styled music live. Happy Note Records is multifaceted entertainment company. Aside from promoting the music and career of Charles Xavier, the label was created to become a boutique content provider and tour support/marketing powerhouse for creative artists.

It is clear that Charles Xavier/X-Man has spent many years developing his music and some very loyal fans, and now he hopes to reach underground and mainstream music circles with this new series of playlists, videos and ep’s. A new Happy Note Production staff and its marketing team will allow Charles to rest assured that his projects are released with professional Distribution and Marketing in place, while X-Man keeps his focus on performing, engaging fans, and developing new material.

For more information about his releases and touring schedule, visit The Xman’s website at


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