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| “Play Yourself” blog post on Mingus from William Horberg |
| Fri, Nov. 13 2009 |
| Hazel Scott, ‘Relaxed Piano Moods’ |
| Fri, Nov. 13 2009 |
| Video with Mingus |
| The Clayton State University in Georgia presents Big Band Arrangements of the Music of Charles Mingus |
| Sun, Nov. 1 2009 |
| Concert is Monday, Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m. in Spivey Hall. Admission is free. |
| Yale Jazz Ensemble Concert to Feature Music of Thad Jones, George Gershwin, Charles Mingus |
| Sun, Nov. 1 2009 |
| Concert Nov 9th. |
| Christine Fagan and the Impressions in Jazz Orchestra present their spin on music by Joni Mitchell and Charles Mingus (Ottawa) |
| Fri, Oct. 30 2009 |
| Concert Friday, October 30 |
| S.F. Jazz Festival honors East Bay saxophonist John Handy |
| Thu, Oct. 29 2009 |
| UC Santa Barbara Symphony Presents Halloween-Themed Performance |
| Thu, Oct. 29 2009 |
| Thursday, Oct. 29th at 9 pm in Lotte Lehman Concert Hall. “The jazz band will perform works by the larger-than-life bassist Charles Mingus, known for his virtuosic bass playing, perfectionist band leading, and prodigious composing. The choice of Mingus for the Halloween Spooktacular comes as no surprise; his dissonant compositions often reflect a tormented psyche.” |
| Independent Weekly Review of Mingus Big Band at Duke |
| Mon, Oct. 5 2009 |
| “Solo performances like pianist David Kikoski’s and a head-twisting workout by baritone sax player Lauren Sevian pointed out the outfit’s ability to play with Mingus’s work. A whole set of that was full of heart-swelling instances of uplift.” |
| Ellen Johnson sings Mingus in concert |
| Mon, Oct. 5 2009 |
| Mingus Sisters Audio Book Now Available |
| Wed, Sep. 23 2009 |
Recordings of Charles Mingus’ sisters Grace and Vivian sharing narratives of growing up in Watts with Mingus. |
| Pithecanthropus Erectus for symphonic orchestra and jazz musicians now available through Boosey & Hawkes | ||||||||||
| Tue, Aug. 25 2009 | ||||||||||
Boosey & Hawkes proudly makes available for the first time Pithecanthropus Erectus, a groundbreaking piece for symphonic orchestra and jazz musicians by one of the most important figures in twentieth century American music – virtuoso bassist, accomplished composer, and bandleader, Charles Mingus.Alvin Ailey choreographed an hour program called “The Mingus Dances” during a 1972 collaboration with the Robert Joffrey Ballet Company, in which Pithecanthropus Erectus was featured.Please contact Adina Williams at Boosey & Hawkes for perusal scores and more information regarding this brand new work available from Boosey & Hawkes.
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| Mingus Big Band placed second in Downbeat Critics poll |
| Sun, Aug. 9 2009 |
| Mingus Big Band nominated for Downbeat Readers poll. Voting contines through Aug 24th. |
| Sun, Aug. 9 2009 |
| Lucid Culture Concert Review: The Mingus Big Band at the Jazz Standard, NYC 7/27/09 |
| Thu, Jul. 30 2009 |
| “The weekly Monday Mingus show at the Jazz Standard is New York’s most transcendent weekly residency. It’s probably the best in the entire world.” |
| Author Aleksandar Hemon on Mingus in NYT |
| Thu, Jul. 23 2009 |
| 9) Solo Dancer from The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady, Charles Mingus. My mind still fails to grasp the exact limits of Mingus’s greatness. During the time I was writing “The Noble Truths of Suffering” (“Love and Obstacles”), I listened to a lot of Mingus. I would take my dog for a walk before sleep on the beach near our house and would be overwhelmed with the desire to dance. The dog would be racing up and down the sand and I would be convulsing in the rhythms of Mingus. “The Noble Truths of Suffering” has been labeled anti-American by some patriotic readers. But all I have to submit to refute that charge is my love for American music, as exemplified by Mingus and other jazz greats. |
| Free Mingus Dynasty plus films at SummerStage in Central Park NYC | ||
| Wed, Jul. 22 2009 | ||
| Asbury Shorts: An Evening of the World’s Best Short Films Mingus Dynasty Quintet
Thursday, August 06, 2009 From 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM Central Park SummerStage The exceptional Mingus Dynasty Quintet is one of
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| Houston Press review of Epitaph DVD |
| Mon, Jul. 13 2009 |
| Under the Radar Magazine review of Mingus Ah Um |
| Mon, Jul. 13 2009 |
| “Ah Um casts quite a, um, shadow. It’s damn near perfect, opening with “Better Git It in Your Soul,” one of the slammingest statements of intent to ever spin at 33 1/3. The assembled cook at an exuberant temperature, driven by Mingus’ on-off-mike shouts of coarse, exuberant joy. “Oh, yeah!” he barks at strategic intervals. (The exclamation/trademark would later grace a ’62 LP.) While Mingus encourages, drummer Dannie Richmond commands, insistent behind the kit. Tributes abound in the Lester Young eulogy “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat,” featuring John Handy’s tenor sax aching through a spectral mist, the Morton nod “Jelly Roll,” and an “Open Letter to Duke” scrawled to Mr. Ellington, whose “Mood Indigo” and “Things Ain’t What They Used to Be” were Mingus-stamped on Dynasty.The famous “Fables of Faubus” has outpaced the legacy of its name-checked target, Arkansas governor Orval Faubus, who in 1957 used National Guardsmen to prevent a group of black students from entering Little Rock High School then shut down the entire city’s school system for the 1958-59 academic year (great time for jazz, not so much for America). The horn section sounds simultaneously scornful and amused, with Mingus’ defiant thumps mocking its gasbag subject. “Pussy Cat Dues” enters a Basin Street bordello on Jimmy Knepper’s trombone prowl; Horace Parlan wiggles his ivory eyebrows, digging through his pockets for cash.” |
| Pop Matters review of Mingus Ah Um |
| Mon, Jul. 13 2009 |
| “Mingus Ah Um sounds like the 20th Century: it is a self-portrait of a man who helped define the direction of post-bop jazz, commenting on the country that created him.” |
| London Evening Standard: Mingus Dynasty Alive and Kicking |
| Mon, Jul. 13 2009 |
| Mingus Dynasty is alive and kickingBy Jack Massarik, Evening Standard07.07.09
Well played: Trumpeter Alexander Sipiagin does Mingus Dynasty It’s Listening to a brilliant Reincarnation of a Love Bird, Mingus’s salute to Charlie Parker, A lesser-known |
| Mingus in Annual Review of Jazz Studies |
| Mon, Jun. 29 2009 |
| Churchy Blues, Bluesy Church: Vernacular Tropes, Expression, and Structure in Charles Mingus’s “Ecclusiastics” by Horace J. Maxile, Jr. |
| Musician-organized OFF Festival de Jazz in Montreal |
| Fri, Jun. 12 2009 |
| “The festival will close with a special two-set performance by Guilbeault’s large ensemble doing rarely performed works by Charles Mingus such as Black Saint and the Sinner Lady at the Lion d’Or on June 27.”http://www.lofffestivaldejazz.com/programmation/27-20h.html |
| Mingus Monday Audience comments from past two weeks |
| Wed, Jun. 10 2009 |
| Comments for the last two weeks of Mingus Bands @ Jazz Standard (not selective, this is ALL of the comments!)06/01/09 – Big Band”Incredibly fascinating”"The jazz show inspired me to become a jazz musician. This is my 3rd time seeing it!”"Until tonight I was a jazz hater but this I loved, particularly the piece they played for the first time”"Perfect – Awesome – Stimulating – Great – Superb – Fascinating – Extremely Entertaining”
“My head is cooked – in a good way” “Having only learned Jazz history in school, this experience transcended the confines of a classroom. It was a collaboration that amounted to something far greater than the already extraordinary sum of its parts” “Personally the most fantastic evening of jazz I’ve enjoyed and the food was good” “Uplifting, inspirational and authentic. The real deal!” “Moves you where you need to go!” “It was fabulous! Really swings. Top notch musicians” “Loved it!” “It was amazing! I loved it.” “Mingus Lives!….at the Jazz Standard.” “Great! We loved it. Thanks for making great jazz available on Monday nights.” “It kicked – It’s Mingus!” “Great cooperation b/w players!” “I loved the show, it’s almost as if the music was telling a story.” “Fantastic” “Very good. Yes.” “First jazz show in new york. Amateur jazz fan and was blown away.” “Off the hook! Spectacular musicianship!” “Good musicians and nice to see them having fun!” “Excellento!” 06/08/09 – Dynasty “Felt like Mingus was among us. Yes.” “loved it! And am eager to learn more. Thank you!” “Classily redefined Mingus tunes with spellbinding solos that properly preserve his legacy” “I feel like tasting a great burgundy, enjoining complexity, elegance in a perfect tune” “SUPERB!! Thrill to see Sue Mingus” “Great performance, strong and beautiful” “Excellent musicians” “Outstanding, P.S. Great Waitress!!” “The supple, sinuous, sonorous, flavorings/ stylings of salient Mingus compositions were well rendered by this line-up.” “Really inspired me to pick up the upright bass guitar” “Soothing to the senses” “Mesmerizing” “Fastastical! We love NY and the Jazz Standard. Great music, great service, great food!” “Great Show. Love this club. It’s our second time here, we’ll be back.” “Loved it” “great music especially the pianist!! A mix of small mellow jazz and quick paced jazz” “Excellent performance, glad the band is perpetuating this great music” “Excellent” “Wonderful show! Awesome!” “Very Good” “Fabulous” “Good show – want to hear Goodbye Porkpie Hat, maybe that is in second set. Musicians bring the important music of Mingus to life. It needs to be heard! Keep up the great work!” “Like Mingus! Classic but eclectic and full of surprises” |
| Mingus Big Band New Year’s Eve Concert on WBGO/NPR |
| Mon, Jun. 8 2009 |
| Mingus Epitaph at Walt Disney Concert Hall Broadcast on NPR |
| Mon, Jun. 8 2009 |
| Mingus Big Band nominated for JJA Large Ensemble of the Year |
| Wed, May. 27 2009 |
| Mingus Big Band has been nominated for Large Ensemble of the Year. Winner will be announced June 16, 2009 at a reception at Jazz Standard.Congrats to all the nominees! |
| Mingus at the Showplace |
| Wed, May. 27 2009 |
| The Writer’s Almanac with Garrison Keillor featured Mingus at the Showplace by William Matthews |
| Jazz takes a giant leap with Bellevue Jazz Festival (Preview of Mingus Big Band) |
| Wed, May. 27 2009 |
| Jazz takes a giant leap with Bellevue Jazz FestivalThe Bellevue Jazz Festival, with main stage acts Dianne Reeves, the Mingus Big Band, Kurt Elling, Mose Allison, Patricia Barber and Danilo Perez, takes place at Meydenbauer Center and other downtown Bellevue venues May 22-24, 2009. |
| Another review of Epitaph 1989 now on DVD |
| Wed, May. 27 2009 |
| “Even if Mingus doesn’t play on it, this 1989 orchestral bangup is one of my favorite Charles Mingus concerts. Great to see it out on DVD.” |
| Seattle Times: At Bellevue Jazz Fest, fine music overcomes settings |
| Wed, May. 27 2009 |
| “Saturday night, the festival featured the Mingus Big Band, musician for musician one of the most spirited and technically gifted bands in the country.” |
| JazzWax: Article on the song Fables of Faubus |
| Wed, May. 27 2009 |
| Review of Ah Um new Vinyl release |
| Wed, May. 27 2009 |
| Photos of Mingus Big Band in Bellevue |
| Wed, May. 27 2009 |
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| Pop Matters review of 1989 Epitaph |
| Wed, May. 27 2009 |
| Review of recent DVD release of 1989 Epitaph |
| Wed, May. 20 2009 |
| Opportunity for New York high school jazz students: Brass players needed for York College Summer Jazz Program |
| Mon, May. 18 2009 |
| York College Summer Jazz Program ’09 needs brass players! From Tom Zlabinger:”We held auditions for York College Summer Jazz Program ’09 this weekend. Although we had a great turnout and I was very impressed by the musicianship, we are a little thin on brass, both trumpets and trombones. If you know anyone who would be interested in studying jazz performance and music theory this summer, please have them contact me. This is a scholarship program for NYC public high school sophomores and juniors. EVERYTHING is paid for by the city of New York: Tuition, books, MTA card, lunch voucher, music stand, metronome and more! It’s a professional big band environment and students get private lessons!!! Lex Samu (trumpet) and John Yao (trombone) will be our instructors. Students earn 5-college credits upon completion. And the band has several gigs over the summer, including one at the Louis Armstrong House on Satchmo’s birthday!! The dates of SJP ’09 are June 29 – August 7, Monday – Thursday @ 9 – 3 p.m. and classes and rehearsals take place in the York College Performing Arts Center in Jamaica, Queens.For more information on the program and its alumni, go to:http://www.myspace.com/yorkcollegebluenotes For more information on SJP ’09 brass instructors Lex and John:http://www.lexsamu.com/
Students must be able to read music and have their own instrument. No jazz experience is necessary. Please circulate this to as many people as you can. Interested students should contact me directly. I will happily schedule a one-on-one audition. I will also hold a general audition in mid-June. The exact date will be announced this week once it is scheduled. I’ll be sure to let you know. Just wanted to get the word out about the openings ASAP. Thank you for your help! This summer’s band is already going to be serious! Help me get some deserving brass players in there to join us for the ride!!! Tom Zlabinger - www.myspace.com/tomzlabinger 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. www.york.cuny.edu |
| Philadelphia Daily News mention of new DVD of 1989 Mingus Epitaph |
| Tue, May. 12 2009 |
| “It took a brassy, all-star, 30-member band, including two bassists (!) to do justice to Charles Mingus’ “Epitaph” at the 1989 concert of the same name finally available on Eagle Eye Media DVD (A). Reconstructed a decade after the legendary bassist/composer’s death, the Gunther Schuller-conducted work opens in Mingus’ most disruptive “third stream” vein. But it soon shifts into more accessible and synchronized territory. And it sure doesn’t hurt that every solo (by the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Jerome Richardson, Randy Brecker, John Abercrombie and others) is an homage to Mingus’ liberated genius.” |
| Beneath the Underdogs: Mingus and Partch. May 15th Film Screening at Chicago Cultural Center |
| Thu, May. 7 2009 |
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| The music of Mingus lives on in a weekly series by Zan Stewart/The Star-Ledger |
| Wed, May. 6 2009 |
| Band honors Charles Mingus, jazzman with enduring legacy By PIERRE RUHE The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |
| Wed, May. 6 2009 |
| Newsweek: Jazz Standards That Aren’t |
| Thu, Apr. 30 2009 |
| Poetry Out Loud competition: “Mingus at the Showplace” by William Matthew |
| Thu, Apr. 30 2009 |
| Mexican Connection: Mingus and Orson Wells |
| Tue, Apr. 28 2009 |
| Flickr user smata2 slideshow of Mingus Big Band |
| Tue, Apr. 28 2009 |
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| Review of Mingus Big Band in Greeley, Colorado |
| Sun, Apr. 26 2009 |
| NPR JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater features Mingus Big Band |
| Thu, Apr. 16 2009 |
| Lineup announced for Vicenza Jazz 2009 |
| Sat, Apr. 11 2009 |
| Mingus Dynasty plays May 15 |
| The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra plays Mingus |
| Mon, Apr. 6 2009 |
| Blog review of MBB: “So musical a discord, such sweet thunder” |
| Mon, Apr. 6 2009 |
| The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Band honors Charles Mingus, jazzman with enduring legacy |
| Sun, Apr. 5 2009 |
| Mingus Awareness Project-May 7-ALS fundraiser at Hideout in Chicago |
| Sun, Apr. 5 2009 |
| On Thursday, May 7th, a group of musicians will gather at The Hideout to celebrate the life and music of Charles Mingus, and to benefit the Les Turner ALS Foundationhttp://www.mingusawarenessproject.org http://www.hideoutchicago.com |
| Charles Mingus Hometown Jazz Festival April 17-19 |
| Wed, Apr. 1 2009 |
| “Charles Mingus Hometown Jazz Festival” will be held this year April 17-19, 2009 again celebrating Charles’ birthday, with a full range of jazz bands, artists, and events, including an educational component going into schools at all levels.http://www.mingusproject.com |
| Columbus State Jazz Festival to Feature Mingus Big Band |
| Thu, Mar. 26 2009 |
| COLUMBUS, Ga. — Jazz artists, from the high school level to the internationally respected Mingus Big Band, will come together for the inaugural Columbus State Jazz Festival Friday and Saturday, April 3-4, at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in downtown Columbus. |
| Review of Charles Mingus: Thirteen Pictures on Elsewhere |
| Mon, Mar. 23 2009 |
| Mingus bassist Andy McKee leads Mingus Ah Um tribute at New School |
| Mon, Mar. 23 2009 |
| Spring New School Jazz Presents: Mingus Music America(2) 03/26/2009 8:00 p.m.The second of two concerts in tribute to Charles Mingus features New School Jazz faculty Andy McKee. The band includes Andy McKee on bass, New School Jazz alumni Mike Moreno on guitar and Jason Marshall on baritone saxophone, Idris Muhammad on drums, Ivan Renta on tenor saxophone, and current New School Jazz student Ilana Worrell on vocals. Location: Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance Space, Arnhold Hall, 55 West 13th Street, 5th floorAdmission:$10; free to all students and New School faculty, staff, and alumni with ID
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| University of Tennessee at Chattanooga: Mingus Concert on April 9th |
| Mon, Mar. 23 2009 |
| Mingus Panel discussion in L.A. April 28th |
| Mon, Mar. 23 2009 |
| Mingus Panel DiscussionA Zócalo/City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs EventModerated by Oscar Garza, Senior Editor, Los Angeles Daily NewsTuesday, April 28, 2009, 7:30 pmBarnsdall Gallery Theatre 4800 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027 Free parking in the lot at the bottom of the hill and in parking spaces surrounding the perimeter of the Barnsdall Art Park. Barnsdall Gallery Theatre
From his first concert piece, written when he
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| One off gig won’t be quickly forgotten |
| Sun, Mar. 22 2009 |
| Working in the Arts: The New York Experience |
| Sun, Mar. 22 2009 |
| Our intern Trish in her college paper! |
| Magnet Magazine: From The Desk Of Superdrag’s John Davis: Charles Mingus-“Oh Yeah” |
| Sun, Mar. 22 2009 |
| On BBC4: 1959: The Year that Changed Jazz |
| Sun, Mar. 22 2009 |
On BBC Four1959: The Year that Changed Jazz
Synopsis1959 Four major jazz albums were made, each a high water mark for the Rarely seen archive performances help vibrantly bring the era to Broadcasts
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| Sony Legacy releasing special 50th Anniversary Edition of Mingus Ah Um |
| Fri, Mar. 13 2009 |
| Mingus Ah Um by Charles Mingus: 2009 also marks the 30th anniversary of the death of the mercurial bandleader-composer, who had the budget at Columbia to double his two-horn front-line for the big sound of “Better Git It In Your Soul” and “Fables Of Faubus”, and homages to jazz greats Ellington (“Open Letter To Duke”), Morton (“Jelly Roll”), recently deceased Lester Young (“Goodbye Pork Pie Hat”), and Mingus himself (“Self-Portrait in Three Colors”). The film noir quality of this album — considered to be one of the five truly essential Mingus LPs — predates a certain vein of film music later popularized by Henry Mancini. Liner notes for the 2009 edition of Mingus Ah Um are written by three-time Grammy Award-winning producer-annotator Michael Cuscuna. |
| Mingus Big Band’s Andy McKee leads Mingus Ah Um anniversary tribute at New School |
| Fri, Mar. 6 2009 |
| Wed 3/26: Andy McKee, Vic Juris, Idris Muhammad, Becca Stevens & Ivan Renta at The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music. 8:00pm. “Mingus Ah Um.” $10; free for students, faculty, staff & alumni. Arnhold Hall, 55 W. 13th St., 5th Floor. www.newschool.edu/jazz |
| TV segment on MBB in New Zealand |
| Fri, Mar. 6 2009 |
| Mercury News: Shows Not to be Missed in SFJazz Spring Season |
| Fri, Mar. 6 2009 |
| 8. Mingus Dynasty featuring John Handy, May 3, 7 p.m., Palace of the Fine Arts Theatre. Oakland-raised John Handy was already one of the most innovative young altoists on the scene when he joined the volatile bassist-composer Charles Mingus in 1959. Five decades later, the searing saxophone solos he contributed to the classic albums “Mingus Ah Um,” “Blues and Roots” and “Mingus Dynasty” still sound fresh and bracing. Handy hasn’t revisited the Mingus book much, which makes his collaboration with the talent-laden seven-piece combo Mingus Dynasty an exceptional event. |
| Macau Daily Times: Jazz extravaganza night in CCM with Mingus Big Band |
| Fri, Mar. 6 2009 |
| The Mingus Big Band on Monday evening filled the Macau Cultural Centre’s (CCM) Grand Auditorium with invigorating jazz extravaganza and was acclaimed by the audience for their performance of the legendary bass player and composer tunes.The jazzier rhythmic and humour of the late Charles Mingus lyrics enveloped the jazz lovers and surprised the mere curious ones. Lauded as “the best jazz orchestra in the world” by the Washington Post, the Mingus Big Band performed for the first time at CCM, being a highlight programme for its 10th anniversary celebrations.The Mingus Big Band is a very well known New York institution and six-Grammy nominated artist, which held residencies in some of the best jazz clubs in the United States, and toured extensively abroad to Malaysia, Japan and Hong Kong.In last night concert, they played old and new arrangements creating a spirited blend of the lush harmonies and boisterous blues sections, interwoven ensemble passages and sudden tempo shifts and showed brawling, muscular, hard-swinging, bluesy way Mingus loved to play in an authentic homage concert to the most important jazz figures in 20th century American music.Charles Mingus was a virtuoso bass player, accomplished pianist, bandleader and composer. Born in Arizona in 1922, the American, with Asian influences, studied double bass and composition in a formal way, while absorbing vernacular music from the great jazz masters in the likes of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. He died in 1979 from a nervous disease and left more than 300 masterpieces. |
| Independent Ear reviews Mingus Big Band at Jazz Standard |
| Wed, Mar. 4 2009 |
| “Of all the jazz widows of great masters my hat has long been off to Sue Mingus for the tireless way she has gone about maintaining and upholding the legacy of Charles Mingus and his music. The Mingus Big Band is currently enjoying a Monday night residency at the Jazz Standard, a club which among other things enjoys hands-down the best menu and cooking of any jazz club in Manhattan. Among her many efforts Sue Mingus has been quite clever about doing more than just ensuring gigs for the Mingus Big Band, Orchestra, and Dynasty; she has always stayed one step ahead of the game by seeking fresh approaches to their presentations. For example this year they’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of three important Mingus records: “Blues and Roots”, “Ah Um”, and “Dynasty”. So the band is performing music pretty much exclusively from those three sessions — though they did veer off into some slightly more obscure Mingus from his “Baron Mingus” days for a vocal selection — and the results are bracingly fresh as always. Nominal co-leadership of the band appears to be shared by bassist Boris Kozlov, who performs on Charles’ famed lion’s head bass, and tenor saxophonist Wayne Escoffery, who also share the various intros. Among other marvelous moments on this particular evening were excursions into such Mingus lore as “My Jelly Roll Soul” and “GG Train”, tunes that have not been often performed otherwise. Among the stalwarts in the big band on that particular Monday were saxophonists Vincent Herring, Abraham Burton, Jason Marshall, and Donny McCaslin; trumpeters Randy Brecker, Kenny Rampton, and former VJO trumpeter Earl Gardner (still one of the best lead trumpeters on the planet), trombonists Frank Lacy (who contributed one of his customary humorous vocal turns) and Andy Hunter, Donald Edwards on drums, and the bracingly fresh Orrin Evans on piano, who injected some wicked clave into one of his turns. When a band boasts such sturdy soloists it can be difficult for each to get a proper turn, but indeed each did as the set was very skillfully arranged.” |
| High School Competition: Ken Franckling’s Jazz Notes: Make Room for Mingus |
| Mon, Mar. 2 2009 |
| Winners announced for First Annual Charles Mingus High School Competition |
| Thu, Feb. 26 2009 |
| WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL CHARLES MINGUS HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND COMPETITION Sue Mingus and Justin DiCioccio, Producers HELD AT MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSICSUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2009 5 Combos and 5 Big Bands Hailing from High Schools in the North East competed for top honorsThe FIRST Annual Charles Mingus High School Competition was part of a 3-Day Mingus Summit held February 20-22 at MSM
New York City – Sue Mingus, Director of Let My Children Hear Music and Justin DiCioccio, Assistant Dean and Chair of Manhattan School of Music’s Jazz Arts Program, announced the winners of the 1st Annual Charles Mingus High School Jazz Band Competition in an awards ceremony held at the conclusion of the all-day competition that took place at Manhattan School of Music on Sunday, February 22. In presenting the awards, Justin DiCioccio commented, “The playing by all, in both the combos and big bands, was magnificent today.” Sue Mingus said, “All of the adjudicators were astonished with the musicianship heard today. Everyone who performed was wonderful.” The winners are: Combo Category Best Combo Winner, Performing Arts High School – Manhattan School of Music Precollege Combo Outstanding Combo Rhythm Section Best Arrangement Outstanding Soloists Trumpet: Adam O’Farrill Trombone: Chris Palmer Alto Sax: Elijah Shiffer Piano: Terrance Shider Tenor Sax: Casey Berman Big Band Category Best Big Band Best Rhythm Section Best Trumpet Section Outstanding Soloists Tenor Sax: Nick Lippa Trombone: Tom Chalmers Trumpet: Ivan Rosenberg Piano: Josh Condon Tenor Sax: Nathan Katz The 1st Annual Charles Mingus High School Jazz Band Competition was open to high school jazz combos and big bands hailing from the North East: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. Some 60 submissions were received for the first round of pre-screening CDs, with five combos selected and five big bands chosen to compete in Sunday’s competition. The goal of the competition is to provide an opportunity for high school music students to explore the enormously varied works of Charles Mingus, and to find their own individual voices within the music. The competing high school jazz combos and big bands and the Mingus tunes they performed, are listed at the end of the press release. The 2009-10 Charles Mingus High School Jazz Band Competition will be expanded to high schools nationwide. For information, contact Sue Mingus at Let My Children Hear Music, 484 West 43rd Street, 43-S, New York, NY 10036, (212) 736 – 4749, In addition to the 1st Annual Charles Mingus High School Jazz Band Competition, the Mingus Summit included on Friday, February 20th, a keynote address given by Gunther Schuller, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Justin DiCioccio with Vincent Herring, Conrad Herwig, Andy McKee, Sue Mingus and Gunther Schuller, discussing “Mingus Music in the 21st Century.’ On Saturday, February 21, the Manhattan School of Music Charles Mingus Student Jazz Ensemble, consisting of Remy Le Boeuf, alto saxophone; Samuel Ryder, tenor saxophone; Jonathan Barnes, trumpet; Craig Davis, piano; Ruben Samama, bass and Will Clark, joined by Saxophonist Steve Slagle performed. Sunday afternoon also showcased performances by the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Orchestra conducted by Justin DiCioccio and the Mingus Dynasty Band with Boris Kozlov, on Charles Mingus’s lionhead bass; Vincent Herring, alto sax; Donny McCaslin, tenor sax; Alex Sipiagin, trumpet; Conrad Herwig, trombone; Helen Sung, piano and Justin Faulkner, drums (from the Girard Academic Music program in Philadelphia). Charles Mingus is recognized as a major 20th-century composer, whose entire works have been acquired by the Library of Congress – a first for jazz, and a first for an African-American composer. Mingus left behind the largest legacy of composition in American music after Duke Ellington. The Mingus Bands remain devoted to this vast repertoire and under the artistic direction of Sue Mingus, play to critical acclaim throughout the world. (Listed below are the competing high schools and repertoire played) Combo Category LaGuardia High School Jazz Quintet• , New York, NY King Philip Regional High School Jazz Combo 1• , Wrentham, MA. Manhattan School of Music Precollege Combo• , New York, NY Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, Jazz Ensemble 3,• Hartford, CT The Rivers School, Rivers Select 1 Combo• , Weston, MA Big Band Category Rivers Big Band• , The Rivers School, Weston, MA Gates Chili High School Jazz Ensemble• , Rochester, NY LaGuardia Senior Jazz Band• , New York, NY Eastman Youth Jazz Orchestra, • Rochester, NY Lexington High School Jazz Ensemble,• Lexington, MA |
| Pratt Songs review of Charles Mingus: Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus |
| Mon, Feb. 23 2009 |
| High School Competition on NY1 |
| Sun, Feb. 22 2009 |
| Mingus Summit starts tonight! |
| Fri, Feb. 20 2009 |
 This weekend is the First Annual Mingus High School Competition (on Sunday) and exciting 3-day Mingus Summit, all held at Manhattan School of Music at 122nd and Broadway. (directions)Then check out the amazing lineup we have for the Mingus Dynasty at Jazz Standard on Monday. We hope you can join us for all or part of it!  MINGUS SUMMIT AND HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITION SCHEDULEFRIDAY, Feb 20, 2009 7:30pm-9pm MINGUS SUMMITManhattan School of Music 122nd Street & Broadway, NYC Greenfield Hall Keynote Address by Gunther Schuller (Pulitzer Prize-winning Composer/Conductor). Panel Discussion moderated by Justin DiCioccio (Manhattan School of Music Jazz Director), with Schuller, Vincent Herring (saxophonist/educator), Conrad Herwig (trombonist/Professor Jazz Studies, Rutgers), Andy McKee (bassist/ Director Mingus Ensemble, New School University), and Sue Mingus (President of Let My Children Hear Music/The Charles Mingus Institute, and creator of the Mingus repertory bands). Free and open to the public. SATURDAY, Feb 21, 2009 7:30pm-9:30pm MINGUS SUMMIT SUNDAY, Feb 22, 2009 10am-7pm MINGUS HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITION Adjudicators 10am-11:30am COMBO COMPETITION - LaGuardia High School Jazz Quintet, New York, NY. Band Director: Kevin Blancq
- King Phillip Regional High School Jazz Combo 1, Wrentham, MA. Band Directors: Peter Levesque and Peter Tileson - Manhattan School of Music Precollege Combo, New York, NY. Band Director: Jeremy Manasia 11:30am-11:45am SHORT BREAK - Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, Jazz Ensemble 3, Hartford, CT. Band Directors: Kris Allen and Jimmy Greene
- The Rivers School, Rivers Select 1 Combo, Weston, MA. Band Director: Philippe Crettien 12:45pm-2pm LUNCH BREAK - Gates Chili High School Jazz Ensemble, Rochester, NY. Band Director: Christopher Oldfield
- Rivers Big Band, The Rivers School, Weston, MA. Band Director: Philippe Crettien - LaGuardia High School of Music and Art, Senior Jazz Band, New York, NY. Band Director: Kevin Blancq 3:30pm-3:45pm SHORT BREAK - Eastman Youth Jazz Orchestra, Rochester, NY. Band Director: Howard Potter
- Lexington High School Jazz Ensemble, Lexington, MA. Band Director, Jeffrey Leonard 5pm PERFORMANCE by the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Justin DiCioccio, just back from conducting orchestra at the Grammy awards! 5:30pm PERFORMANCE by Mingus Dynasty 6pm-7pm AWARDS ceremony and goodbyes. MONDAY, FEB 23 MINGUS DYNASTY AT JAZZ STANDARD Alto – flute: Vincent Herring Tenor Saxophone: Seamus Blake Trumpet: Alex Sipiagin Trombone: Ku-umba Frank Lacy Bass: Boris Kozlov Piano: David Kikoski Drums: Jeff “Tain” Watts SETS AT 7:30 & 9:30. Doors open an hour prior. Jazz Standard features wonderful Blue Smoke BBQ. There is never a minimum.
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| New York Press article on Mingus and the High School Competition |
| Thu, Feb. 19 2009 |
| Thirty Years On, The Music Remains StrongCharles Mingus’ legacy revisited at the Manhattan School of MusicBy Ernest Barteldes |
| Columbia Spectator article on the High School Competition |
| Thu, Feb. 19 2009 |
| High School Competition Finalist hometown news: Gates-Chili Again |
| Mon, Feb. 16 2009 |
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Participating in the first annual competition is both an honor, and history lesson. Besides being a jazz great — Mingus’ entire works have been acquired by the Library of Congress — many of his pieces were inspired by the Civil Rights movement of his day. “Most of his music is really interesting to listen to because it’s so well written,” said Dan Montgomery, a sophomore bassist. “It speaks to a lot of people.”
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| Mingus Big Band at Jazz Standard Feb 9 |
| Fri, Feb. 6 2009 |
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MONDAY, FEB 9 The evening will feature a 50th anniversary celebration of the great “Blues & Roots” recording released February 9, 1959, on Atlantic Records! Randy Brecker, who will perform in the Mingus Big Band’s trumpet section, remembers buying this album for $3.98 at the local record store in Philadelphia when he was 13 years old, his first introduction to Mingus! Trumpets Saxophone Trombones: Drums: Donald Edwards SETS AT 7:30 & 9:30. Doors open an hour prior. Jazz Standard features wonderful Blue Smoke BBQ. There is never a minimum.
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| Straight No Chaser Blog: Fifty Years Ago Today: Mingus’ “Blues and Roots” |
| Thu, Feb. 5 2009 |
| AllAboutJazz.com: 3-Day Charles Mingus Tribute at Manhattan School of Music, February 20-22 |
| Thu, Feb. 5 2009 |
| High School Competition Finalist hometown news: Lexington |
| Thu, Feb. 5 2009 |
| High School Competition Finalist hometown news: Gates-Chili |
| Thu, Feb. 5 2009 |
| Gates Chili HS jazz group makes finals, sponsors evening of pasta, music |
| “1959: The Year Jazz Was Reborn” By Gary L. Alexander |
| Fri, Jan. 23 2009 |
| “A gift from a godmother of jazz” Boston Globe |
| Fri, Jan. 23 2009 |
 THREE WISHES: An Intimate Look at Jazz Giants Compiled and photographed by Pannonica de Koenigswarter |
| Review of Mingus Ah Um LP release by Matthew Miller – AllAboutJazz.com |
| Fri, Jan. 23 2009 |
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Drop the needle on Charles Mingus’ bluesy call to prayer on “Better Git It In Your Soul” and Legacy’s decision to include Ah Um in its vinyl series comes into sharp focus. There’s simply no better way to hear the 1959 Columbia masterpiece than on 12″ vinyl and, while it may be hard to detect the business logic behind the series, the meticulous remastering by Allan Tucker makes clear the aesthetic motive.
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| Diane Richardson: Celebrating the music of Charles Mingus |
| Fri, Jan. 23 2009 |
| Tufts University’s Granoff Music Center PresentsA Performance By Diane Richardson: Celebrating the music of Charles MingusSaturday, February 28, 2009 at 8:00 pm. FREE. |
| Finalists announced for the First Annual Charles Mingus High School Competition |
| Fri, Jan. 16 2009 |
| Contact: Sue Mingus Let My Children Hear Music http://www.mingusmingusmingus.com/JazzEducationFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFinalists announced for the First Annual Charles Mingus High School CompetitionNew York, NY – January 15, 2009 – Sue Mingus of Let My Children Hear Music and Justin DiCioccio of The Manhattan School of Music are pleased to announce the finalists in the First Annual Charles Mingus High School Competition.The finalists (in alphabetical order) are:BIG BAND CATEGORYEastman Youth Jazz Orchestra, Rochester, NY. Band Director: Howard Potter Gates Chili High School Jazz Ensemble, Rochester, NY. Band Director: Christopher Oldfield LaGuardia High School of Music and Art, Senior Jazz Band, New York, NY. Band Director: Kevin Blancq Lexington High School Jazz Ensemble, Lexington, MA. Band Director, Jeffrey Leonard Rivers Big Band, The Rivers School, Weston, MA. Band Director: Philippe Crettien COMBO CATEGORY Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, Jazz Ensemble 3, Hartford, CT. Band Directors: Kris Allen and Jimmy Greene King Phillip Regional High School Jazz Combo 1, Wrentham, MA. Band Directors: Peter Levesque and Peter Tileson LaGuardia High School Jazz Quintet, New York, NY. Band Director: Kevin Blancq Manhattan School of Music Precollege Combo, New York, NY. Band Director: Jeremy Manasia The Rivers School, Rivers Select 1 Combo, Weston, MA. Band Director: Philippe Crettien The Mingus High School Competition will take place on February 22, 2009, as the final event of the three-day Mingus Summit at Manhattan School of Music in New York City. All events are free and open to the public. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Best Big Band, Best Combo, Outstanding Soloists, Outstanding Big Band Section, and Outstanding Combo Arrangement. We are also pleased to announce the surprise news that two scholarships to Manhattan School of Music will be awarded at the Competition. Next year’s Competition will be open to high schools nationwide. Details will be announced soon in order to allow plenty of time in the spring and summer for preparation. Our adjudicators were impressed by the high quality of the submissions and thrilled to hear Mingus music played with such heart and commitment. We are all very excited to see Mingus energy thriving and inspiring these young musicians. Sue Mingus MINGUS SUMMIT AND HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITION SCHEDULE FRIDAY, Feb 20, 2009 7:30pm-9pm MINGUS SUMMIT SATURDAY, Feb 21, 2009 7:30pm-9:30pm MINGUS SUMMIT SUNDAY, Feb 22, 2009 10am-7pm MINGUS HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITION Adjudicators for the Competition: Conrad Herwig, Gunther Schuller, Boris Kozlov, Vincent Herring, Justin DiCioccio, and Donny McCaslin. 10am-11:30am COMBO COMPETITION – 3 bands 5pm PERFORMANCE by the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Justin DiCioccio. 5:30pm PERFORMANCE by Mingus Dynasty featuring Boris Kozlov (playing Charles Mingus’ lionhead bass), Vincent Herring, Conrad Herwig, Donny McCaslin, Justin Faulkner (high school drummer from Girard Academic Music Program in Philadelphia), Alex Sipiagin, and Helen Sung. 6pm-7pm AWARDS ceremony and goodbyes. MONDAY, February 23 SETS AT 7:30 & 9:30 MINGUS DYNASTY |
| Jazz Standard “Best of New York” says New York Magazine |
| Mon, Jan. 12 2009 |
| “Jazz in the present tense.” |
| Mingus Big Band rang in the new year on WBGO/NPR-LISTEN ONLINE! |
| Sun, Jan. 4 2009 |
| Producers said it was one of the most exciting performances they’d seen in the history of the series.You can listen online! |
| Mingus Big Band voted “Best Big Band” by Jazz Times readers |
| Sun, Jan. 4 2009 |
