Mingus Epitaph touring

an educational, cultural, and community experience unlike any other!

The posthumous premiere of Epitaph in 1989 presented Mingus Music in a large band context, and inspired Sue Mingus to expand Mingus Dynasty into the larger Mingus Big Band. By the time Epitaph was revived again in 2007, Mingus Big Band had been performing weekly for almost two decades, Gunther Schuller was again conducting, and newly discovered pieces were incorporated. Now with another two decades of experience with the large ensemble arrangements, the musicians of Mingus Big Band have refined ways to communicate and share their experience and love for Mingus composition and individual expression. And in 2024 we have a new engraving and score, updated and finalized through extensive rehearsals and workshopping. This creates a profound educational opportunity where Jazz Workshop, Inc. offers complete parts and scores, and 19-20 professional musicians and a conductor (or co-conductor), to be joined by 10-20 of your local classical and jazz professionals or students. After a few days of rehearsal, the concert is performed at your institution or city, all performing together. Smaller versions of this arrangement are also possible with guest educators and soloists joining your existing orchestra.

testimonials OF 2022 Yale Performance

“Playing Epitaph alongside Yale and Mingus Big Band musicians was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that introduced me to jazz giants in a context where almost all of us were experiencing something new. Even though some folks had played Epitaph in one of the few earlier instances of it being presented, it being conducted by Wayne and Frank Lacy brought entirely new interpretations and musical sensibilities to play. Everyone was immensely encouraging, and the reception by Yale and New Haven audience members was incredible. Rarely have I been able to play music so meaningful and rich in its historical significance, and playing it alongside that band brought a professionally and work ethic to that task that was more than admirable. I will continue to be grateful for the opportunity, for my inclusion, and for Professor Escoffery’s support to reach great musical heights.”
Wes (Alto Saxophone)
Yale University
PHD Candidate Computational Biology & Bioinformatics

“It was truly a pleasure to play the oboe and English horn parts on Epitaph. Being a classical musician, it was really fascinating to get to work with professional jazz musicians and see the difference in rehearsal structure and overall method of collaboration. Epitaph was also an incredible work to put together, truly unlike anything else I’ve heard in jazz. Mingus writes with remarkable contrasts in style and form, which expand the genre beyond many of the limitations that I found jazz to have. I’d love to perform this work again if I were given the chance – it’s a welcome shift from classical music to a more collaborative and creative space.”
Alec
Yale College BS Chemistry ’22, 
Yale School of Music MM Oboe ‘24

“At various times rehearsing the piece, Dave Kikoski -- the other pianist -- and I found ourselves both completely lost at the same time. We cracked into huge grins as we shook our heads and shot "out" chords at each other, almost like having a conversation. During these times I listened most closely, and it was even more rewarding than playing the notes on the page when I played something of my own creation and it fit right in.”Miles Zaud
B.A in Music
Year of 2026

“Helping to prepare for the Epitaph performance was an inspiring and memorable experience. It was great to work alongside extremely accomplished musicians who pushed me to try and make Charles Mingus’s compositions come to life. My involvement not only gave me valuable rehearsal experience, but also a personal connection to a work that has both historical and artistic significance.”
Rohan (Tenor Saxophone)
Class of 2026
Physics