Charles Mingus Archives
Charles Mingus
Is There a More Bassist Photo Than This? Here’s the Story Behind the “Harlem, 1958” Pic You (Probably) Don’t Know About
Is there a more “bassist photo” than this? Paul Thompson tells the story behind Art Kane’s "Harlem, 1958" pic you (probably) don't know about, and the four bassists in it.
Joni Mitchell “Archives, Vol. 4” Features Previously Unheard Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, and More
Joni Mitchell’s archival releases have continued with Archives – Vol. 4: The Asylum Years (1976-1980), which sheds light on the singer-songwriter’s jazzier phase of the last ’70s. The lineup includes bassists Jaco Pastorius, Charles Mingus, Rob Stoner, Max Bennett, Stanley Clarke, and Eddie Gomez.
Mingus Big Band Releases “Centennial Sessions, Vol. 2”
The Mingus Big Band has been keeping bassist/composer Charles Mingus’ legacy going ever since his passing. The group celebrated what would have been his 100th birthday in 2022 with an album called “The Charles Mingus Centennial Sessions Vol. 1,” and now the second edition is available.
Mingus Big Band Releases “The Charles Mingus Centennial Sessions”
The legacy of Charles Mingus is continuing to be celebrated this year by his legacy bands. Now the Mingus Big Band has released “The Charles Mingus Centennial Sessions,” which marks the 100th anniversary of the bassist and composer’s birth.
Mingus At 100
April 22, 2022 marked the 100th anniversary of Charles Mingus's birth. The Mingus Dynasty band performed at Dizzy's Club in New York City in celebration, and we caught up with the bassists for this interview.
Charles Mingus Sextet: Live in Oslo 1964
Today marks the centennial of the birth of the late jazz legend Charles Mingus. We’re celebrating today with a full concert of his sextet live in Oslo during his European tour in 1964. The band is one of his most famous lineups.
Charles Mingus Sextet: Live in Stockholm (1964)
On April 13th, 1964, Charles Mingus took the stage in Stockholm, Sweden with his Sextet. This incredible footage (which has been colorized) is from the rehearsal before the concert.
“Mingus at Carnegie Hall” Gets Deluxe Reissue
Forty-seven years ago, Charles Mingus performed with his band at Carnegie Hall. A live album, “Mingus At Carnegie Hall”, was issued but excluded much of the 2-hour performance. Now the full concert has been released as a deluxe edition.
Two Classic Charles Mingus Concerts Get Official Release
Two rare concerts by Charles Mingus are getting their first official release with “Charles Mingus @ Bremen 1964 & 1975”. Recorded in the German port city of Bremen, the performances showcase two stellar lineups of the bassist and composer’s band.
Classic Mingus Album Reissued on Vinyl
The album often cited as legendary jazz bassist/composer Charles Mingus’ best, The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady, has been released in a limited, remastered vinyl edition after being long out of print on vinyl. Composed in part as a ballet, the work recorded by an 11-piece band features a spectacular rhythm section, Spanish influences, and extraordinary improvisation. It also...
Charles Mingus Quintet: So Long Eric
Today we’re celebrating Charles Mingus’s birthday. Here’s a video of one of my favorite Mingus tunes, “So Long Eric,” taken from Belgium’s “Jazz Pour Tous” TV program in April 1964. The quintet’s lineup includes drummer Dannie Richmond, pianist Jaki Byard, tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan, and alto saxophonist Eric Dolphy, for whom the song is named. Often, the song is thought...
Carrying on the Mingus Dynasty: An Interview with Boris Kozlov
It’s not easy to fill the shoes of a legend, and Charles Mingus has some huge shoes to fill. The iconic jazz bassist and composer left behind a body of work so massive, so complex, and so uniquely his own that it takes an equally rare musician to convey its spirit. Mingus’ music lives on through the Mingus Big Band,...