CHARLES MINGUS

CHARLES MINGUS BIG BAND

JAZZALDIA

Conciertos De Cerano

The Mingus Big Band celebrates the music of composer/bassist Charles Mingus, who died in 1979. Under the artistic direction of Sue Mingus, this 14-piece band performed Thursday

Nights from 1991 to 2004 at Fez under Time Cafe in New York City. It maintained weekly residencies in the city from May 2004 until October 2008, when it began “Mingus Mondays” at Jazz Standard where it alternates with the Mingus Orchestra and Mingus Dynasty.

The Mingus Big Band tours extensively in the United States and abroad, and has ten recordings to its credit, seven of which have been nominated for Grammys.

The Critics say:

The hippest big band in the universe – robust, earthy, sanctified.”

-Time Out New York

“The Mingus Big Band – musician for musician – is one of the most spirited

and technically gifted bands in the country.”

-Seattle Examiner, 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.”

-Lucid Culture, 2009

“A better band than ever today…plenty of meaty, memorable solos… but the real star is this world-class band, swinging through Mingus’ music with an ease that masks the pieces’ difficulty.”

-Tony Scherman in People

“The most inspired, exciting ensemble jazz performance I’ve attended since the New York night I heard a somewhat different Mingus Big Band in the Fez….”

-Philip Elwood The San Francisco Examiner

“The Mingus Big Band is a wonder and an anomaly…the Mingus Band has taken a musical legacy and transformed it into a creative force that generates a contemporary originality and vitality all its own. They are an important part of the current jazz scene and a constant reminder that jazz—big band jazz, at that—is not merely entertainment but a powerful art form and means of expression.”

-All About Jazz

“..revived Charles Mingus’s repertory and the brawling, muscular, hard-swinging, bluesy way he wanted it played.”

– Jon Pareles of The New York Times

“Mingus’s music doesn’t merely deserve to be heard; jazz needs it.”

– The New York Times

“A spirited blend of the lush harmonies and boisterous blues sections, interwoven ensemble passages and sudden tempo shifts that made the late bassist Charles Mingus one of the most challenging and celebrated artists in jazz.”

– Los Angeles Times

“Succeeds triumphantly where others [repertory bands] have failed.”

– The London Times

“An astonishingly telepathic ensemble.”

– New York Daily News

“The jazz repertory event of the season. . . [the Big Band] is digging into the repertoire of Charles Mingus, playing old and new arrangements that capture the best parts of the Mingus legacy: the muscle, the affection for history, the willingness to take chances, the guts and soulfulness.”

– The New York Times

The best jazz orchestra in the world bears the name of the Mingus Big Band. . .a remarkable high standard of musicianship, energy and consistency.”

– Geoffrey Himes of The Washington Post

“Unlike some, this repertory band doesn’t grow stale or ossified — the reasons are threefold. One, the touring personnel is constantly shifting, bringing in fresh approaches. Two, the repertory of Mingus is so vast, varied and unpredictable that it might always be a renewable resource. Three, founder/guiding light Sue Mingus won’t let the spirit wither.”

– Daily Variety

“The Mingus Big Band is a wonder and an anomaly…the Mingus Band has taken a musical legacy and transformed it into a creative force that generates a contemporary originality and vitality all its own. They are an important part of the current jazz scene and a constant reminder that jazz—big band jazz, at that—is not merely entertainment but a powerful art form and means of expression.” ;An astonishingly telepathic ensemble.”
– New York Daily News

Regulars currently appearing in the 14-piece band:

3 Trumpets: Randy Brecker, Earl Gardner, Alex Sipiagin, Lew Soloff, Tatum Greenblatt, Ryan Kisor, Kenny Rampton, Jack Walrath, Sean Jones, Alex Norris, Philip Harper

3 Trombones: Conrad Herwig, Andy Hunter, Ku-umba Frank Lacy, Earl McIntyre, Dave Taylor, Robin Eubanks, Joe Fiedler, Clark Gayton

5 Saxophones: Vincent Herring, Seamus Blake, Abraham Burton, Wayne Escoffery, Donny McCaslin, Mark Gross, Craig Handy, Scott Robinson, Jason Marshall, Lauren Sevian, Jaleel Shaw, Steve Slagle, Ronnie Cuber, David Lee Jones, Coleman Hughes

Piano: Orrin Evans, David Kikoski, Helen Sung, George Colligan, Kenny Drew Jr., Jim Ridl

Bass: Boris Kozlov, Hans Glawischnig, Andy McKee, Joe Martin, Ugonna Okegwo, Dwayne Burno, Mike Richmond

Drums: Donald Edwards, Gene Jackson, Victor Lewis, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Adam Cruz, Tommy Campbell