Charlie Rouse (1924–1988) was an American tenor saxophonist renowned for his distinctive tone and fluid, bop-oriented style. Born in Washington, D.C., he began his career in the mid-1940s, performing with jazz luminaries such as Billy Eckstine, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie. In 1959, Rouse joined Thelonious Monk's quartet, a collaboration that lasted over a decade and significantly shaped modern jazz. He also co-founded the group Sphere in the 1980s, dedicated to Monk's music. Rouse's contributions continue to inspire jazz musicians and enthusiasts worldwide. ([bluenote.com](https://www.bluenote.com/artist/charlie-rouse/?utm_source=openai))