Mingus on bass

The first time I heard a Charles Mingus composition I was instantly mesmerized by the organic melody and improvisatory order of his music.   It’s a mix of bebop, soft bop, hard bop, and a little bit of old 30’s Chicago jazz. It was apparent that this was superior music that touched one at a soul level; music that invited a close immersion in mindful listening.

Perhaps someone convinced you that Jazz music was not accessible music; that it required a degree of intellectualism, music theory, and snobbery? Listening to Mingus reminds all that Jazz is much more expansive than an effete art form. Jazz is the music of our essential shared essence. Mingus is an American composer of American music. Enjoy your legacy with joy and bountiful levity.

The bio and essential facts:

Charles Mingus was an American jazz double bassist, pianist, composer, and bandleader. A major proponent of collective improvisation, he is considered to be one of the greatest jazz musicians and composers in history, with a career spanning three decades and collaborations with other jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Dannie Richmond, and Herbie Hancock.

Charles Mingus

Charles Mingus Painting by Carl Bradford
Better Git It in Your Soul · Charles Mingus Ah Um ℗ Originally released in 1959. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

Fables of Faubus · Charles Mingus

Ah Um ℗ Originally released 1959. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment Released on: 1959-09-14 Drums: Dannie Richmond Piano: Horace Parlan Alto Saxophone: John Handy Tenor Saxophone: Booker Ervin Tenor Saxophone: Shafi Hadi Trombone: Jimmy Knepper Producer: Teo Macero Recording Engineer: Ray Moore Recording Engineer: Fred Plaut

Better Git It in Your Soul

Ah Um ℗ Originally released in 1959. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment Released on: 1959-09-14 Drums: Dannie Richmond Piano: Horace Parlan Alto Saxophone: John Handy Tenor Saxophone: Booker Ervin Tenor Saxophone: Shafi Hadi Trombone: Jimmy Knepper Producer: Teo Macero
Mingus
Brody-CharlesMingusCarnegieHall

Charles Mingus: bass George Adams: tenor saxophone and vocals Don Pullen: piano Jack Walrath: trumpet Dannie Richmond: drums

Charles Mingus – Devil’s Blues – Live At Montreux (1975) [1-12]

 

Song

Devil Blues

Artist

Album

Writers

Licensed to YouTube by

 

Charles-Mingus-Credit-Gosta-Peterson-Turn-Gallery@1400x1050

II B.S. — Charles Mingus – Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus (1963)

Taken from the Album “Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus”, 1963 Vinyl, LP, Album, Italy – 1976 /A1/ Impulse! — IMP 436 1080p 00:00 A1 – – – II B.S.* /Charles Mingus/ – – – /4:43/ * also known as “Haitian Fight Song” Recorded in New York City – September 20, 1963, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Eric Dolphy Soprano Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Flute – Jerome Richardson Tenor Saxophone – Booker Ervin Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute – Dick Hafer Trombone – Britt Woodman Trumpet – Eddie Preston Tuba – Don Butterfield Bass, Piano – Charles Mingus Piano – Jaki Byard Drums – Walter Perkins Engineer – Bob Simpson Producer – Bob Thiele

Charles-Mingus-with Standup Acoustic Bass