Chuck Powell has had a long career of playing music which started in 1998 playing the tuba and then learning the trombone in 2001.  After graduating from HS, Chuck enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and played for the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band from 2007-2010 in Okinawa Japan.  After traveling and performing in Asia for three years, Chuck moved to NYC January 2011 and took time away from music to focus on school and professional salsa dancing and teaching. Shortly after joining the NYPD in 2015, Chuck began freelancing Professionally in the salsa music scene after studying, performing and being mentored by “El Trombonista del Barrio,” Willie Alvarez.  From there Chuck was introduced to lead vocalist Captian Alex Cedillo and joined La Jara Band in June 2017.  While playing with La Jara Band, Chuck had the opportunity to perform with his greatest idol, Willie Colon.  After a few years with La Jara, Chuck decided to take his music abilities to another level, auditioning and eventually being accepted into The New School Jazz Conservatory in 2020 on a music scholarship. While in school, Chuck has studied extensively with Ryan Keberle, Jimmy Owens, Bill Kirchner, Junko Arita and Arun Luthra. In the NYC mambo scene, Chuck has performed with 2-time Grammy Award Winner Doug Beavers, three-time Grammy Award winner Willie Torres and Grammy Award winners Jose Madera and Arturo Ortiz. Also, Jimmy Delgado, Jimmy Bosch, Dan Raegan and Ricky Gonzalez of Marc Anthony’s band, Pete Nater, Joe De Jesus, Ray Bayona, Angel Rios, Fernando Pinto, Rodhen Santos, Willie Romero, John “Dandy” Rodriguez and his Mambo Dream Team, Avenida B Orchestra and many others.  Chuck is a clinician/endorsed trombonist with Michael Rath Trombones Co. from England.