The Bellevue Jazz Festival is back! And one of the highlights of this year's festival is the appearance of the Mingus Big Band. Charles Mingus was one of the most creative, wide-ranging and tempestuous of jazz bassists and composers, and although he is now long gone, his band lives on.
Mingus' own groups, often called "Jazz Workshops" could be cacophonously bluesy or the hardest swinging of the avant-garde and his influence and impact only gets larger every year.
The Mingus Big Band is one of those rare 'ghost bands' which seems to have absorbed all the crucial lessons from its late leader and should rock the house on Saturday, May 23.
Still want more? Check out all the Mingus music you can listen to via our newly expanded database, Music Online.
Thanks for the tip, Bruce!
That'll be some serious swinging...can Bellevue handle such tectonic vibrations?
Mingus' spirit lives on as we play and listen carefully... with an attitude. Wish I could've been in Bellevue this weekend for the Mingus Big Band. I have much enjoyed seeing them over the years at The Fez and Iridium in NYC. At least we got Marcus Roberts and Joe Lovano in Chico, CA this spring -- enjoyed those shows.
GLAD the Mingus Big Band is still at it! ... and all others invoking the spirit of the irascible and provocative bassist and preeminent jazz composer.