CHARLES MINGUS (Angry man of jazz?) Jazz History #58

"Charles Mingus was someone you could hate, fear and love in equal measure." This uncredited quote speaks to the complexity of Mingus' personality and by extension, his music. A profound composer and powerful bassist, Mingus' personal story is at times disturbing, and his reputation as the 'angry man of jazz' was well earned, but his mark on the history of jazz is indelible.
ABOUT THIS SERIES
The Jazz History series is a video adaptation of a PowerPoint presentation used to teach a university course in jazz history. It traces the roots of jazz from Ragtime at the turn of the 20th century to jazz-rock fusion at the end of the 1960s. You’ll find a lot more videos like this one in the JAZZ HISTORY playlist on this channel.
If you want to learn more about the nuts and bolts of playing jazz, check out the videos in the JAZZ TACTICS playlist. Here are a few suggestions:
JAZZ TACTICS SUGGESTIONS
Do You Speak Jazz? • YOU ALREADY KNOW HOW T...
What Makes Jazz Jazz? • TRADING FOURS WITH FRE...
Why I Can't Teach You Jazz • WHY I CAN'T TEACH YOU ...
What's So Great About Chet Baker? • TRADING FOURS WITH FRE...
Trading Fours With Freddie Hubbard • TRADING FOURS WITH FRE...
Improvising on Rhythm Changes • IMPROVISING ON RHYTHM ...
ABOUT THIS CHANNEL
On this channel, jazz trumpeter, educator and author Chase Sanborn offers information and advice for musicians and music appreciators.
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MORE INFORMATION
For more in-depth and personal information and instruction, check out Chase's books and online lesson options on his website:
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[@chasesanborn]

If you enjoy this episode, there are many others in the Jazz History playlist on this channel, along with others relating to jazz improvisation and brass playing. Please make sure to leave a LIKE and comment below to let KZbin (and me) know you like this kind of content. Here's the playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLdkYbUyqvkhQ8kCsmimuUTjj8VkPyTMHG

[@joey6761]

i'm studying jazz in college at the moment and these videos are perfect for sharpening up my history :)

[@chasesanborn]

They were originally made for a university jazz history class. Glad they are helpful!

[@stuartdryer1352]

The Clown is genius work. By everybody. The narration is perfect. (Especially if you've ever been to Dubuque). Mingus is one of the icons of the music, and somehow he is still underated IMHO. I especially like his music with larger ensembles. The comparison to Stravinsky is especially apt for those pieces. This is a great biography.

[@chasesanborn]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for saying so!

[@capulusnigrum6202]

I’ve been waiting on this. Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus

[@chasesanborn]

Happy to deliver!

[@carlmassengale1027]

According to Joni, Mingus "hated" what she did with the lyrics to "Goodbye, Porkpie Hat." I was relieved to learn that, because I didn't dig it either. He asked her to provide lyrics, and she turned it into "my Joni Mitchell trip."

[@chasesanborn]

It's a tricky business to add lyrics to a tune what was written without them in mind. Be careful what you ask for, I guess.

[@carlmassengale1027]

@@chasesanborn Yessir, without question. You may have read it - Joni, hesitant at first, said, "Why don't you ask Jon Hendricks (of Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross) to write for this?" Mingus: "I already did." Pulls out the words and says, "I didn't want something like this. He made it all about the poor black man." So Joni didn't fail to include that same sentiment, plus a portrait of her and Don Alias as interracial couple, just like Lester's marriage. I love Joni, or I would never have listened or learned about this. In my hearing, "Chair In The Sky" and "Sweet Sucker Dance" are highlights of the Mingus album. But sorry Mr. Mingus had to be disappointed on "Porkpie Hat."

[@normalizedaudio2481]

Who holds your old papers is how good of a composer you were.

[@chasesanborn]

The test of time.

[@joksal9108]

I liked the Mingus album with the liner notes written by his therapist. He was definitely a different sort of cat. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Saint_and_the_Sinner_Lady That’s wild to hear Jean Shepherd of “A Christmas Story” fame on a Mingus record. The Eric Dolphy story is a sad one. The doctors treating him when he was deathly ill in Europe (France I think) assumed that because he was a jazz musician he was on drugs, but he was really in the midst of a diabetic coma.

[@chasesanborn]

Mingus was wired differently. Such is the nature of genius, perhaps.

[@A.ChristopherJohnson]

Bravo !!!

[@chasesanborn]

I accept on Mingus' behalf. :)

[@domzig138]

Can you do a Gerry Mulligan episode or maybe John Klemmer please

[@chasesanborn]

There are a finite number of episodes as they were made for a university class. No Gerry or John, sorry!