Chuck Wike CSM

A passionate advocate for jazz, Chuck Wike specializes in writing and arranging for big bands, blending tradition with a contemporary edge. His work extends into the realm of modern concert music, where he explores new textures and forms while staying rooted in the expressive language of jazz. He is also deeply inspired by the jazz-oriented television music of the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s—a golden era when many top composers and arrangers brought their jazz sensibilities to the screen, creating iconic soundscapes that still resonate today. His artistic development has been shaped by studying with an eclectic mix of influential composers, including legendary film composer Walter Scharf, Brazilian master Moacir Santos, and contemporary concert composer Saad Haddad. Chuck was also a member of the Roland Urban Ensemble, an award-winning jazz fusion group that recorded several albums.