Charles Mingus was one of the top Jazz musicians of the twentieth century. He was a virtuoso bassman, composer, and bandleader. He brought his whole self to his art.
Charles Mingus - Work Song
Here he is playing "Work Song" recorded in 1955 and released on Live At The Bohemia.
The "Work Song" (not to be confused with the Nat Adderley composition) should reflect the history of the black workers in the US, with elements of the soul jazz. This is the only truly representative composition in the album. It is actually a jazz tone poem depicting the old slave gangs as they did their back-brakeing work of "swinging that hammer". Driving stakes or laying railroad ties with all the oppression and problems the Black race had at that time. Notice the cannon-like sound of the piano which really simulates the blow of a sledge-hammer. This called a "cluster" on the piano. Because of the low register clusters and other rhythm section accents, we get a strong feeling of depression throughout the piece. However, there is a note of hope in the composition which is found in the words of the original melody: "Swing that hammer over your shoulder: get bolder and – BOLDER!"
- wikipedia
Mingus titles often had an edge to them. Here's "No Private Income Blues" a hard bop classic.
Charles Mingus Quintet Live 1959 ~ No Private Income Blues
To give you some idea of the quality of his bands these are both live recordings. Yep, they just stood there and did that stuff. Absolutely amazing musicianship.
More Mingus ...
One of the most fascinating aspects of Charles Mingus’ (1922-1979) body of work is the way he connects titles to his compositions. According to Mingus, “titles should speak from time to time to issues that ought to be of concern.” From the threat of nuclear attack to prison riots and school desegregation, Mingus’ music reflected his awareness and concern about the social world in which he found himself. Mingus considered himself a protest cat, his goal was to be “always doing revolutionary things, things that would alert people, so they would stop being so subservient.”
- Nichole T. Rustin - Blues and Politics
Charles Mingus - Freedom - Mingus Mingus Mingus
This mule could be called stubborn and lazy
But in a clever sorta’ way this mule could be workin’, waitin’ and learnin’ and plannin’
For a sacred kind of day
A day when burnin’ sticks and crosses is not mere child’s play
But a madman in his most incandescent bloom
Whose lover’s soul is imperfection and is most lustrous groom
...
Freedom for your daddy
Freedom for your momma
Freedom for your brothers and sisters
But no freedom for me
- Charles Mingus
Mingus' last project was a collaboration with Joni Mitchell, her tenth album called "Mingus".
The album is quite experimental, featuring minimalist jazz, overplucked, buzzing acoustic guitars, and even wolves howling through "The Wolf That Lives In Lindsey". All of the lyrics are by Mitchell, while the music for four of the songs was composed by Mingus, three being new tunes, a fourth being his tribute to saxophonist Lester Young from his 1959 classic Mingus Ah Um, "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat", for which Mitchell wrote a set of lyrics.
- wikipedia
Joni Mitchell-GOD Must Be A Boogie MAN
Joni Mitchell - Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
Mingus wrote this song for Lester Young who he called Pork Pie Hat. Joni Mitchell wrote the lyrics as part of her collaboration with Mingus before he passed. This is a live version from the Shadows and Light release, her tribute to Charles Mingus.
Charles Mingus' wife, Sue Mingus, is carrying the man's legacy forward with the Mingus Big Band a group that plays Mingus compositions.
The Mingus Big Band is an ensemble, based in New York City, that specializes in the compositions of the late Charles Mingus. It is managed by his widow, Sue Mingus and represented by Tree Lawn Artists, Inc.. In addition to its weekly Monday night appearance at the Jazz Standard in New York City, the Mingus Big Band also tours frequently in Europe and other parts of the world.
- wikipedia
Mingus Big Band - Haitian Fight Song
Sue Mingus also has the Official Mingus website at
mingusmingusmingus
So click on over for more Mingus.
I've always loved Charles Mingus' music but until I started writing this article I didn't realize how revolutionary he was. So for this week on Protest Tuesday please enjoy Charles Mingus.
Thanks,
Hairy Larry