rare footage of CHARLES MINGUS for your listening pleasure

In honor of Charles Mingus' centennial, please enjoy this bootleg performance from a 1965 television broadcast title "Jazz: The Experimenters," featuring The Charles Mingus Workshop & The Cecil Taylor Unit, plus commentary from none other than Ralph Ellison and Martin Williams.
Charles Mingus Workshop:
Lonnie Hillyer, Hobart Dotson- trumpet
Jimmy Owens- trumpet/flugelhorn
Julius Watkins- French horn
Howard Johnson- tuba
Charles McPherson- alto saxophone
Charles Mingus- bass (1-2), piano & narration (3)
Dannie Richmond- drum set
Cecil Taylor Unit:
Jimmy Lyons- alto saxophone
Cecil Taylor- piano
Henry Grimes- bass
Sunny Murray- drum set
Village Gate, New York, September 10, 1965
0:00- "The Arts of Tatum and Freddie Webster" [introductory fragment] (Mingus)
3:33- Ralph Ellison commentary
6:03- "Number One" (Taylor)
8:29- Martin Williams commentary
10:30- Cecil Taylor commentary
12:03- "Octagonal Skirt and Fancy Pants" (Taylor)
14:44- Williams
16:55- "The Arts of Tatum and Freddie Webster" [continued] (Mingus)
22:20- Ellison
25:59- "Don't Let It Happen Here" (Mingus)
Citation: www.jazzdisco.org/charles-min...
(Thanks Ethan Iverson for sending me this footage. I did what I could to improve the video and audio quality!)
#CharlesMingus #CecilTaylor

[@jonbustos5180]

I did not know that this jazz existed until a few years ago, yet i must have craved it my entire life. I find comfort in the chaos.

[@TboneWertman]

Truly a beautiful perspective

[@barefootarts737]

I grew up listening to Jazz musicians. But I still struggle with the rough and edgy percussive style. But Mingus always held my attention and took me places.

[@docscott123]

How wonderful this is! I woke up this morning and for some reason I thought of Mingus and suddenly had an urge to search youtube for live recordings/performances. Wow. I was a jazz historian at Northwestern University in the 1970s and I saw him several times at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago and the Amazingrace Coffee House in Evanston. It's awesome to celebrate his centennial today.

[@extantia]

Myself this morning-- and it was a real treat to hear his, along with Cecil Davis' and Ralph Ellison's, vocal commentary as well-

[@ralphdavis9670]

I heard Mr Mingus in the late sixties at a free concert in Thopkin's Square Park; what a thrill it was.

[@JazzFunk22]

Mingus was a bad son of a gun 👌💯

[@pgroove163]

​@@JazzFunk22son of a shotgun

[@tomcunniffe7435]

Personnel: Charles Mingus Jazz Workshop: Jimmy Owens, Hobart Dotson, Lonnie Hillyer (tp); Julius Watkins (frh); Howard Johnson (tuba); Charles McPherson (as); Charles Mingus (p, b); Dannie Richmond (d). Cecil Taylor Unit: Jimmy Lyons (as); Cecil Taylor (p); Henry Grimes (b); Sonny Murray (d). Recorded at the Village Gate; NYC; Sept 10, 1965.

[@GoldenScarab45]

Brian, the Ralph Ellison commentary here is probably the most nuanced and fair take on the birth of Third Stream and modernist/experimental jazz I have ever encountered. So much of the writing from this time is vitriolic and concerned with tribalism, nationalism, conservatism, whatever you want to call it. It is beyond refreshing to hear words from the time period that actually affirm the goals and visions of these composers. Thank you so much for uploading this.

[@GoldenScarab45]

Additionally, I’m gonna need about a month to analyze Cecil’s program note.

[@Stabacs]

@@GoldenScarab45 XD

[@charlesmaynard2236]

Brilliant comment!

[@rudymartinez6242]

Ellison was certainly a literary giant. I read Invisible Man on my own, Sister Anthony Marie later mentioned/recommended the book later on in 5th grade Lit class. She had to be careful, much of what she recommended was, while not banned out-right, was on the Archdiocese’s “Questionable” list. Thank God the nuns at Our Lady of Loretto Elementary were guitar playing, literary, social activist, JFK/MLK, fists in the air intellectuals.

[@gaggle57]

I saw Mingus in a tiny club in Woodstock NY when I was 15, in ‘72. I treasure that musical experience above all others. It was during his Cumbia phase, so it was more accessible than some of the more experimental stuff.

[@maliwilliams7262]

THNX for this!! As a Bassist, and a Friend to my late mentor Malachi Favors, (Who was responsible for me getting a gig with Khalil El Zabar..) I was a dedicated follower of the AACM in my youth, and have missed the Creativity of that period so much.. The music has been dumbed down so much it's Pathetic, which, as a Result,has Impacted the intellectual capabilities of Society, by DESIGN!!,Therefore it's very Pleasing that those such as yourself keep presenting this to the Public.. KUDOS!!

[@paoloalcantara2465]

This is jazz as a high art.

[@stillnessflowing9480]

Mingus was a genius, and an amazing pianist.

[@slowneutron6163]

Holy Crap! A real musician! And a great one, too! ON KZbin! In this day and age! ....................whodda thunkit? Well done.

[@MrMakulit1959]

Wow, nice brings me back to when I was reading Ralph Ellison, Huey Newton, and Malcolm X

[@bubsadoozy]

This is what the internet is all about. Thanks Brian!

[@jdguitar1040]

Thank you, thank you, thank you so very much, Brian.

[@Walrus563]

Always great to see/hear some Mingus I haven't before.

[@breakfastplan4518]

26:01 My country tis of thee. Those voicings are precisely how that anthem should be played today. MINGUS WAS A BEAST!

[@spellerlittlewing]

Thanks Charlie’s Mingus my favorite bass player

[@HeathWatts]

Great footage of The Cecil Taylor Unit too!

[@sparkspark2314]

This to me is jazz...what I love.

[@birdwatching_u_back]

My jazz band just played “Pithecanthropus Erectus” at our spring concert this evening :) What a song, what an artist

[@ramsesstafford4640]

Nothing like Jazz from the 60s.

[@mkhud50n]

🎹: "I am on acid" 🎸: "I am feeling this acid" 🥁: "I AM acid"

[@thelmaorellana-deschenes7646]

Buncha squares... peekin' into the Village Gate... before headin' to see the Fantasticks...buncha squares... stoppin' to have an espressp in Lil Italee! Buncha squares... headin' home to Larchmont... or Bridgeport... or 10 rooms in Greenwhich. Thank you.

[@infiniteuniverse9528]

The genius of Mingus and his ability to approach the creation of his style of Jazz as one creates fine art.

[@axelazaryan]

Long live Cecil and Charles!

[@philreid984]

Cool to see early Howard Johnson, I had only known him from the Taj Mahal album The Real Thing and old Saturday Night Band

[@lordundhimself1310]

Wow, cool video. So cool to think about the people who tuned in to this back in the day.

[@WilliamBrownNYC]

Love the segment with Cecil's great band.

[@CMRandall5150]

KZbin with another W for this gem !

[@jibsmokestack1]

Imagine what the average American would have thought watching Taylor on tv in 1965?

[@stevetintweiss]

The average TV viewer didn’t watch NET (National Educational Television) the precursor to PBS.

[@MarcosElMalo2]

They’d think he was the Black Spike Jones.

[@frankmoore3026]

criminally short supply of contemporary music tube analysis of one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. thank you for filling the gap!

[@txsphere]

I can't believe I haven't heard that last piece they played by Mingus. So amazing and so Mingus.

[@rzu7120]

Just what I needed to put me to sleep.

[@applecapplev]

This is the most affirming jazz statement i have ever encountered . This would be a superb intro, outro, middle to any jazz education. Its quite rare indeed to hear it discussed so efficiently and succinctly and not even for a second as anything other then the heavy cultural statement that it is . Thanks goodness to whomever took the grace to create this film. Bravo.

[@thiagosaksanianhallak8587]

Everyone should watch this video.

[@thaxtonwaters8561]

Hypnotic. Love Mingus

[@viviennedoonar5466]

These were the days when America was a musical and social force

[@markwyatt5377]

I've always loved Mingus, but now that I see that he had a french horn player in his band, he becomes the undisputed GOAT!

[@allwinds3786]

Thank you so much! What a treat to see Julius Watkins.

[@mjmartinez72]

Tho I am an old fan of Mingus and Cecil, who is Julius Watkins?

[@allwinds3786]

@@mjmartinez72 Watkins is the Horn man.

[@jethroorhtej4126]

The literal birth of modern music.

[@moniquemosley2122]

Thank you for posting this gem!🙏💎💋💕

[@thegreatestbassist]

Thank you Brian Krock........Being a Bassist from Philly, I truly appreciate your posting this LESSON on GENIUS........Peace from PHILLY!!

[@kellyneese5216]

RALPH ELLISON. MY FAVORITE WRITER. EVER.

[@skjones6654]

Holy shniekies thank you SO much for this. Stunningly gorgeous as only Mingus could provide. Makes my soul happy. And Cecil!!! Damn great way to end the day

[@TheloniousCube]

Why Los Chimberos? Thanks, though, because that led me here!

[@tomcunniffe7435]

Martin Williams was my first mentor. I never met him in person (only phone calls and letters) and I've never seen any footage of him. He wasn't very photogenic, but his words carry great meaning, even with a 57 year gap. Thank you for posting this film.

[@acornsarehard]

Welcome back to Midnight Q, tonight we’ll be enjoying the smooth jazz of Charles Mingus

[@usuiaioi2551]

有難うございます。ARIGATOGOZAIMASU. Thanks for posting this. I can't believe I could see Cecil playing with Sonny Murray.

[@stuart2071]

Amen!

[@stephangagnon3121]

Almost…

[@bucknbronx13]

Thank you for posting. This is food for the soul.....timely, and timeless.

[@johnjones2015]

This is Great to learn about

[@mrgee918]

Wow that opening piece. That was other!

[@TheCostelloShow]

Thanks for making this public - I've long wanted to find this!

[@DEPARTUERS19]

track?

[@gavinc.morrison1147]

iwish i could give this ten thumbs up

[@jerryzabin]

Thank you for sharing!!!!

[@stephencarroll230]

Jesus! Cecil’s band! Incredible! (Presenters are fantastic as well-not a disparaging word.)

[@cyclonasaurusrex1525]

Insane

[@stephangagnon3121]

Fantastic! Great unburied treasure!

[@stevedickison]

Thank you! the voiceover at the beginning is Richard O. Moore, poet, filmmaker and public TV director in the early days of KQED San Francisco. He made 20 short films on poetry for NET (1965) under the series heading USA:Poetry - though until now I didn't know about this, which seems likewise to suggest a series of programs.. (?). He did do a film documentary for public TV on the Monterey Jazz Fest, and two docs on Ellington, all mid-late '60s. He did the James Baldwin doc, "Take This Hammer," films on AIM and the takeover of Alcatraz, etc. The wiki page has a bunch of bio & related info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_O._Moore

[@mobiditch6848]

One of the most important influences, friend, and mentors of mine, was also an early director on KQED. David Grieve. He was responsible for the Alan Watts recordings. Also, never had I visited his place when KPOO wasn’t on the stereo. I met him when he was an instructor at City College of San Francisco. He also taught at Laney in Oakland. My bet is that he knew Richard Moore.

[@tryon2597]

Wow super interesting Brian, thanks for uploading

[@simasuma]

Amazing!!! A thousand thanks!

[@juanjosehurtadonunez9318]

Thx for this bro 💗

[@barsdaghan4296]

Thank you for this.

[@cojaysea]

Thanks for uploading! Love it 😊

[@sailaalias9719]

Amazing. Thanks for sharing!

[@thomasjares3428]

Wow! Thanks for posting this.

[@seldomscene302]

Thank you! Fantastic!

[@ChrisWrightOM1]

WOW! This is amazing!

[@growlandroll]

Thank you for uploading this!

[@adbl.d6324]

fantastic cultural:musical spelunking, bringing back gems to share! Two absolute titans of musical creation whose works people today neeeed to seek out. Start with any releases of either from the Candid label. Beautiful to hear Mingus/Taylor’s voices/minds. And the analysis by both Williams and Ellison(!) is totally on point. Can’t thank you enough for sharing this treasure. Rowdy, vital, & compelling indeed!

[@dougiesherwin9591]

OMG. Thanks for loading this up.

[@red1bong]

This is amazing!!!

[@EliahNebb]

Good find. Fascinating to see what's changed and what hasn't.

[@jeanrobillard8630]

Many thanks Brian. And I must say: once upon a time, television was really an intelligent media, and admitted implicitely that its viewers were equally as well intelligent. Time are changing, as one used to say inanother context.

[@cescorosa61]

I think totally changed to...

[@mjloverforever91]

Wonderful ♥️

[@ImmortalIdeas]

Ahhh yeah!!!!!! Hella cool!!!!

[@maxrubio4246]

Amazing!!!

[@denislyubich]

Something good is is still being uploaded to KZbin. Glad to know!

[@williamhughes1349]

Wow Amazing 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@unknownpantones1721]

Whattt thanks you for the post!!!!

[@smidlem1117]

thanks brian this is super cool! a nice way to wake up before getting down into essay work hahaha

[@benneden2580]

Can't believe this exists

[@barisofluoglu6443]

man thank you

[@axelazaryan]

A miracle! Amazing

[@HunterShows]

6:05 "This song is called the piano maintenance blues."

[@demonicsweaters]

He really was one of a kind

[@epicryan3745]

this version of "Dont let it happen here" is fantastic

[@rudymartinez6242]

Thank you NET, from 1954 to 1970, the eminent precursor to PBS. This was from their groundbreaking series, USA : Music. I wonder how many others are in the series? Another commenter down below mentioned that he had followed the USA : Poetry series, and this I remember because my late uncle Frank used to watch it when he came over. “This is poetry, mijo, do you like poetry?” He would ask me. I would sit politely and watch. I didnt understand at the time. In the fullness of time, I myself became a poet. But who knows how many more Poetry or Music or whatever else series NET produced and must be locked up somewhere(hopefully not degrading), in the PBS archives, or perhaps at one of its numerous member stations, just waiting to be discovered. This material should be cleaned up by the UCLA or Hollywood film foundations or even the National Archives. These recordings are an important and irreplaceable part of our National, Social and Artistic patrimony.

[@jethroorhtej4126]

Wholy shit!!! What a bassist.

[@pacmandeck9718]

Thanks

[@Jason1717171717]

I hear some grindcore in there. Lol. This is really some eclectic stuff. Wow!!

[@dynasticlight8706]

EQUALLY INDIVIDUAL. -RADICALLY iNNOVATIVE .

[@imbees2]

My first video of Charles Mingus.

[@penguins0392]

Charles Mingus did shrooms with Ram Dass and Timothy Leary. So cool

[@Twentythousandlps]

I have a feeling they originally asked Ellison to be the host, but he would have had nothing favorable to say of Cecil Taylor (putting it mildly), so they had to add Martin Williams.

[@tippidink]

Damn, thanks Brian Krock.

[@elizabethhestevold1340]

VERY important Music History.🙏🌅🇺🇸🇩🇰🌷

[@kincamell2]

Much Gratitude .

[@charlesweeks5027]

Bad ass in every way

[@agungwayne3090]

Magnificent!

[@dawson_cashwell]

Wow cool

[@caponsacchi]

Martin Williams authored a fine little book, "The Jazz Tradition." I attended a seminar he gave in Carnegie Hall on the afternoon of Newport in NYC. To illustrate the "action," tensions and releases, humor, drama and discovery in music, he spent the entire hour analyzing a recording by Sarah Vaughan. Since then, I've found Sarah the most rewarding vocalist to return to. The only problem--or resistance to Sarah--has come from fans who regret her later weight gain and mumu dresses (which didn't affect, or certainly didnt harm, her voice--not even her chain smoking could do that! There's a more serious complaint, for which I have no defense on her behalf--her extreme vibrato at the end of most of her phrases. I had been averse to it--even initally aware of it--only on her Gershwin LP (where it's extreme--even Edith Piaf extreme. I'm sure she had control of it. I'm less sure about her reasons for turning to it so predictably.

[@unknownkingdom]

Too bad his hair looks ridiculous lmao

[@m4x358]

Thanks so much Brian, Mingus is one of the greatest of all time. Seriously!! Also, my friend's cat who is called Mingus (my suggestion) escaped today from her apartment. A crazy coincidence, or the soul of Mingus taking action on his anniversary? You decide ;)

[@EndOfStates]

Is the cat ok?

[@m4x358]

@@EndOfStates Has not been found yet :(

[@maxcalfman522]

@@EndOfStates Well now it has luckily. We're all very glad, I had to crawl under a shed to find him.

[@mrbwise4600]

Wow that was great Now play that same song again it