Gavin Walker
Jan 28, 2011, 10:27 PM
The Jazz Feature tonight is one that was played a few years ago and for a more detailed summation of the music one can go back into the archives on this site. The album is perhaps the last great recording by bassist/leader/innovator, Charles Mingus. It wasn't his final document but what makes this recording unique are the two works that make up this disc. They are new compositions that he played with his working band. One composition was recorded in March and April of 1976 with his working band augmented by some Italian musicians and was to be a soundtrack of a movie called "Todo Modo". Alas for a variety of complex reasons, the music was not used in the movie but we have the wonderful soundtrack. This comprises the first long selection. The basic personnel in this band was George Adams on tenor saxophone, Jack Walrath on trumpet, Danny Mixon on piano, Dannie Richmond on drums and Mingus....that was the same band that appeared in Vancouver for an astounding three night stand at Oil Can Harry's Upstairs Jazz Room in 1976. The band on this recording is augmented by five Italian musicians playing alto saxophone, oboe/English horn, bass clarinet, bassoon and trombone. The music is atmospheric, moody, ear catching and 100% Charles Mingus! That is Part 1......"Music For Todo Modo".
The second selection or Part 2 is called "Cumbia and Jazz Fusion". It was recorded a year later in March of 1977 with his new working band, again augmented by guest artists. The basic personnel was Walrath, Ricky Ford on tenor saxophone, Bob Neloms on piano, Mingus and Richmond. This constitued Mingus' last working band. Guest artists added to the band are Jimmy Knepper on trombone and bass trombone, Mauricio Smith on flute, piccolo, soprano and alto saxophones, Paul Jeffrey on tenor saxophone and oboe, Gary Anderson on bass and contrabass clarinets, Gene Scholtes on bassoon plus a variety of percussionists including Candido Camero, Ray Mantilla and others. Mingus was beginning to feel the effects of the disease that was to eventually take his life on January 5, 1979. His ALS was undiagnosed at the time but the early symptoms were happening like numbness in his feet and fingers and sometimes a lack of co-ordination and occasional difficulties walking. His musical spirit was still very much intact and Cumbia is a long extended suite of moods combining Mingus love of world music and exotic rhythms. The piece is dynamic and covers a range of emotions from rollicking humour to anger to satire and swing. Mingus even has a small vocal segment with Dannie Richmond that makes fun of racial stereotypes....Mingus was never too far removed from politics. That is tonight's Feature: "Music From Todo Modo" and "Cumbia And Jazz Fusion". A look at the world through the musical mind of the great Charles Mingus.
The Mingus Feature will air shortly after 11pm as usual but I'll have a bunch of good stuff to play for you right from the start at 9pm......see you then....................
The second selection or Part 2 is called "Cumbia and Jazz Fusion". It was recorded a year later in March of 1977 with his new working band, again augmented by guest artists. The basic personnel was Walrath, Ricky Ford on tenor saxophone, Bob Neloms on piano, Mingus and Richmond. This constitued Mingus' last working band. Guest artists added to the band are Jimmy Knepper on trombone and bass trombone, Mauricio Smith on flute, piccolo, soprano and alto saxophones, Paul Jeffrey on tenor saxophone and oboe, Gary Anderson on bass and contrabass clarinets, Gene Scholtes on bassoon plus a variety of percussionists including Candido Camero, Ray Mantilla and others. Mingus was beginning to feel the effects of the disease that was to eventually take his life on January 5, 1979. His ALS was undiagnosed at the time but the early symptoms were happening like numbness in his feet and fingers and sometimes a lack of co-ordination and occasional difficulties walking. His musical spirit was still very much intact and Cumbia is a long extended suite of moods combining Mingus love of world music and exotic rhythms. The piece is dynamic and covers a range of emotions from rollicking humour to anger to satire and swing. Mingus even has a small vocal segment with Dannie Richmond that makes fun of racial stereotypes....Mingus was never too far removed from politics. That is tonight's Feature: "Music From Todo Modo" and "Cumbia And Jazz Fusion". A look at the world through the musical mind of the great Charles Mingus.
The Mingus Feature will air shortly after 11pm as usual but I'll have a bunch of good stuff to play for you right from the start at 9pm......see you then....................