McPherson has performed at concerts and festivals with his own orchestra an as special guest in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, South America and Africa. He has toured with jazz artists Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton, Nat Adderley and others.

He has recorded more than a dozen albums as a guest artist with Mingus, Art Farmer, Harris, Hampton, Kenny Drew, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Sam Jones, Ted Harris, Bobby Jones and as a featured artist on the record labels Prestige, Mainstream and Xanadu and recently on Discovery for which he recorded the album "The Prophet." He occasionally teaches a course at San Diego State University.

Here's what the critics have to say about Charles McPherson

"McPherson helps make "Bird" fly . . .Clint Eastwood called on . . . Charles McPherson for his film biography about jazzman Charlie Parker, "Bird." An alto saxophonist of international repute, McPherson is heard in the film on the alto."
Hilliard Harper-Los Angeles Times

"Charles McPherson's fluent sax . . he exudes the conceptula spirit and strength that have characterized the bebop form for 40 years. . . McPherson moved through mostly uptempo standards . . .with chorus after chorus of invention. . . .McPherson's technical fluency and musicianship were exhilarating . . ."
Stuart Troup-New York Times

"Scorching bebop . . .his bright, ringing tone and his ability to weave silken webs of improvisation at the fastest tempos his long solos are unbroken threads, logically structures carry the touch of mastery."
Lee Jeske

"McPherson has not merely remained true to his bop origins but has expanded on them, both as improvising soloist and as composer. . . .his sound bold and full, he brought his own values to three of his original pieces: "Horizons," with its shifting moods; "Illusions in Blue," a sort of 21st Century variation on the blues with archly ingenious piano chording and the rich, almost lushly evocative "A Tear and a Smile." Having thus displayed his dual talents as composer/player, McPherson then felt free to tear into "Cherokee" at a breakneck pace."
Leonard Feather-Los Angeles Times

"The craft and sincerity, the discipline and passion that Charles McPherson brings to the alto saxophone is a tribute to the beauty of jazz and to the kind of integrity that makes for visceral art. His is a talent that shouldn't be neglected."
Stanley Crouch-The Village Voice

" . . .his blues and ballad interpretations are breathtaking."
Phil Elwood-San Francisco Examiner