[1] Born Theodore Charles Cohen in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, United States,[1] he studied at the Juilliard School of Music as a percussionist.

Young, who in turn sublet two apartments to Hall Overton (Charles's mentor) and Dick Cary.

He was a studio musician for Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Shelly Manne, and Dion.

He recorded an album, Live at the Verona Jazz Festival, for Soul Note in 1988.

His last recording was the 2011 collaboration with Wily Bo Walker and Danny Flam featuring the song "You Don't Know What Love Is".