Charles Gavatin was a Swedish lawyer, pianist, and record label owner, born on September 23, 1935, in Stockholm. He passed away on September 10, 2015, in the same city. Gavatin had an accomplished career in the legal field, serving in both the Svea Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. He also taught at the School of Economics and held senior positions in companies focusing on law and auditing.

In his personal life, Gavatin was known for his humility and domestic responsibilities. A young female secretary, employed under him, initially worried about her role in managing the company's ground service, only to discover that he was in charge of brewing coffee. This sense of shared responsibility extended to his marriage with Laila Gavatin, where he was reportedly in charge of much of the household chores, including laundry and window cleaning.

Despite his legal profession, Gavatin was passionate about music, particularly jazz. He and Laila organized classical-style "salons" in their apartment at Odenplan, where they hosted musical evenings featuring talented jazz musicians and an engaged audience, which often included local neighbors. Their 1928 Grotrian Steinweg grand piano was a centerpiece of these gatherings, where both Swedish jazz and international artists, such as James Moody and Kenny Barron, performed, often in conjunction with scholarship awards.

In the early 1990s, the Gavatins founded Touché Music, a record label that reflected their commitment to high-quality jazz production. Through their foundation, the Laila and Charles Gavatin Foundation for Jazz Music, they awarded scholarships and supported tours and both Swedish and international concert projects. This foundation has a notable list of recipients, which includes established jazz musicians and emerging talents. Notably, scholarships for established artists were often paired with record productions under Touché Music, while new talents were recognized through the Unga Jazzkometer project, where they received awards during concerts at Jazzklubb Fasching.

The foundation also contributed to significant documentation of Swedish jazz, funding books like "Den Gyllene Cirkeln," "Jazzen på 1960-talet," and Rune Carlsson's memoir, "Precis i tiden – En Jazzmusiker Minns." Further information on scholarship recipients and record productions can be found on the website touchemusic.se.

Touché Music distinguished itself with high production standards, engaging top-tier studios and skilled technician Åke Linton for recording sessions. This commitment to quality extended to all aspects of production, including mastering, album text, and photography. During a time when many record labels were reducing their jazz output, Touché Music stood out by providing fair compensation to its dedicated musicians, allowing them creative freedom while remaining actively involved in the selection of repertoire and song versions for release.

The Gavatins maintained a clear definition of jazz, often expressing a preference for traditional forms over hybrid genres incorporating popular elements. They valued musical craftsmanship and personal expression, frequently selecting fellows from musicians and singers who exemplified these qualities, even if they were not the most prominent figures in the scene. Charles and Laila Gavatin were regular attendees at concerts, festivals, and smaller jazz venues, where they discovered much of the talent they chose to support with their foundation.