Review: Charles Mingus Centennial Sessions Vol 2 in New York City Jazz Record

October 31, 2024 Charles Mingus

The band roars out of the gate with a rousing rendition of “Peggy’s Blue Skylight”...its first recording, with potent solos by Tatum Greenblatt (trumpet), Coleman Hughes (trombone) and Theo Hill (piano)." ... "Perhaps the most striking chart on this release is Kozlov’s arrangement of “She’s Just Miss Popular Hybrid”, which was essentially a mingus solo piano improvisation from Mingus Plays Piano. Kozlov saw the potential in this unexplored gem and fleshed it out into a full-fledged, large ensemble chart featuring trumpeter Alex Norris; the result fits into the Mingus style due to his creative voicings, which build upon the late master’s approach to writing." ... “The Clown”...features new text written and spoken by Mingus’ son Eric Mingus, and Robin Eubanks’ expressive trombone licks backing him are the perfect complement.

New York City Jazz Record (Ken Dryden)