Mingus centennial

Charles Mingus, bassist, pianist, composer, bandleader, was born on April 22, 1922.

I cringed last night hearing an NPR tribute characterize Mingus — straight off — as “the angry man of jazz.” I find it difficult to imagine NPR referring to anyone as the angry man of chamber music, dance, film, painting, &c. Sigh.

Mingus could be angry indeed, particularly about the indignities of the music business. And his music can be angry, yes — also ecstatic, romantic, sardonic, tender, tumultuous, urbane, and witty. It is, always, music of extraordinary imagination and beauty.

WKCR is playing Mingus round the clock through Saturday. To see Mingus in performance, these 1964 performances are a good place to start.

Related reading
All OCA Mingus posts (Pinboard)