I used to work with a woman who said that she hated jazz. At the time, being at the start of my jazz-snob phase, I was shocked to hear this. It seemed impossible to me. Here was a woman who was a trained musician (violin) and professed to hate my new-found love. I tried (and probably failed) to not think less of her.
Of course, in any situation — art, literature, music — the collision of opinions between "gets it" and "doesn't" can make for a specular emanation of heat with very little light. Since I've been on the other side of this argument with more than a few artists, I've tried to tone down my own evangelism in this situation.
But then there's Charles Mingus. The man was a giant talent, so full of life, ideas, and passion. The word "genius" is often attached to Mingus. This long-lost recording, discovered by Sue Graham Mingus, is the kind of thing I would use as ammunition in the war against the anti-jazzer. It's just so amazing.
The opening trio of tunes would have been enough to satisfy my ears. Jaki Byard runs his piano through a brisk "ATFW You," that dips into everything from Fats Waller to Art Tatum to well, Byard! Then Mingus takes a solo turn, his muscular bass walking through "Sophisticated Lady." As if that wasn't enough, the entire band launches into a lascivious reading of "Fables Of Faubus." Clifford Jordan's sax leaning into Eric Dolphy's naughty bass clarinet makes the little hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. With "Fables" running on for almost thirty minutes, the listener gets a huge taste of what this particular lineup was all about. While they appeared to be at the height of their powers, the chops did not get in the way of a good time.
There are way too many highlights to enumerate here, but if the opening salvo isn't enough for you, check out the blistering "Meditations" on disc #2. It's another big chunk of joyous music-making, passionate enough to change a person's mind.
That is, unless you hate jazz. If so... well, I'll try not to think less of you.
Article comments
1 - Josh
I worked with a guy who worshiped at the Temple Mingus. I've never checked any of it out not because I hate jazz but because it seems an insurmountable mountain.
2 - Mark Saleski
not insurmountable, though i know what you mean. i sometimes feel that way about classical and opera.
3 - Josh
Classical is another example for me, exactly.
4 - Pico
Hating jazz? What's that like? :&)
5 - Mark Saleski
i don't know, it's sort of not liking ice cream, or sex, or...
ok, maybe it's not quite like that.
6 - Michael J. West
It's like HATING JESUS.
OK, that's a bit of a stretch, I just like to be needlessly provocative. :-)
7 - Michael J. West
By the way, am I crazy to think that (despite Mingus being Mingus, i.e. tempestuous and witty and brilliant) Johnny Coles is the real star of this set? When the whole ensemble takes the stage on "Fables of Faubus," to my ears they sound a little listless and rote for the first chorus...and that Coles' trumpet on the first solo is what wakes everybody up and leads them to shine.
8 - gonzo marx
Mingus = Awesome
now i'll have to find these recordings and add 'em to the Library of Noise
a taste of a Master.
Excelsior?
9 - Mark Saleski
better still michael: Mingus is BIGGER THAN JESUS!!
seriously, i dunno if i hear them as listless at the chorus, but Coles does indeed light a fire.