Mingus Orchestra at Birdland Theatre Aug 23-25, 2024

“The Orchestra upholds the boisterous Mingus legacy while delving even deeper into his repertory.”
— The New York Times

The 10-piece Orchestra has created a distinctive Mingus sound that embraces jazz and classical forms. Its unique instrumentation includes bassoon, bass clarinet, and French horn– instruments rarely heard in traditional jazz bands.

“ I think it is time our children were raised to think they can play bassoon, oboe, English horn, French horn, lull percussion, violin, cello. The results would be-well the Philharmonic would not be the only answer for us then. If we so-called jazz musicians who are the composers, the spontaneous composers, started including these instruments in our music, it would open everything up, it would get rid of prejudice because the musicianship would be so high in caliber that the symphony couldn’t refuse us.”

— Charles Mingus, Let My Children Hear Music liner notes 1971