There have been many attempts to revisit the music of Charles Mingus ever since his death in 1979 (with several of the groups being called Mingus Dynasty), but this is by far the most successful of all the Mingus tribute albums. The 20-piece Mingus Big Band is an all-star unit comprised of mostly younger musicians who have spent several years really studying and getting inside the great bassist's music. The band's debut CD has such spirited soloists as baritonist Ronnie Cuber (who introduces...   [ read more ]

CD $16.13

A fine "best of" collection drawn from the Mingus Big Band's five-disc output since 1993. The disc captures the flow and live energy of the band's regular Thursday-night gig at Fez Under Time CafT in New York. The highlights are many: Ronnie Cuber's baritone sax work on "Moanin'" and his touching narration on "Nostalgia in Times Square"; Kenny Drew, Jr.'s Eastern-tinged piano intro and monster solo on "Boogie Stop Shuffle"; Seamus Blake's tenor showcase on "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat";...   [ read more ]

CD $16.13

The Mingus Big Band had been together four years when they recorded this set while on a European tour. The musicians had mastered the great bassist's music, resulting in versions of a variety of Mingus classics that rank with the originals. The largely all-star 15-piece band includes such names as trumpeters Randy Brecker, Phillip Harper and Ryan Kisor, trombonist Frank Lacy, baritonist Gary Smulyan, tenor saxophonists Craig Handy, John Stubblefield, and Chris Potter, and pian...   [ read more ]

CD $16.13