“IN OTHER WORDS, I AM THREE…”
One of the most important figures in twentieth century American music, Charles Mingus was a virtuoso bass player, accomplished pianist, bandleader and composer
MODERN MINGUS
Bringing the great legacy of Mingus composition to audiences around the world
“LET MY CHILDREN HEAR MUSIC…”
Announcing the 15th Annual Charles Mingus High School Competition & Festival!
LIVE STREAM FROM AUG 2023
LIVE STREAM FROM JULY 2023
“I never swung so much or, rather, lived so much in my life.” –Charles Mingus on playing with Elvin Jones
BIRD LIVES — Celebrating the life and music of Charlie Parker (August 29, 1920–March 12, 1955), Black American alto saxophonist, composer, and landmark musical figure. In his book, Beneath The Underdog, Charles Mingus recalled his first time hearing Charlie Parker in the mid-1940s at Billy Berg’s club in Los Angeles.
CELEBRATING THE PREZ — Lester Young, Black American tenor saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer. Young—nicknamed “Prez” by Billie Holiday—was born August 27, 1909 and passed away on March 15, 1959. He was an iconic figure in music, fashion, and language, cited as a major cultural influence by musicians and non-musicians alike.
Called “The Lady with the Million Dollar Ears” by Charlie Parker, Jordan was a bebop vocalist who pioneered the voice-and-bass duo format, inspired by an early experience sitting in with Charles Mingus
Pettiford is frequently cited as one of the founding figures of bebop, and one of the most influential bassists. Pettiford is also credited as a pioneer of the use of cello in modern jazz.