Open rehearsal/master class and Q&A FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC but requires RSVP!

LAST YEAR’S:

Mingus Big Band celebrates the music of composer/bassist Charles Mingus who celebrated his Centennial year in 2022.  Founded under the artistic direction of Sue Mingus in 1991 to build off the Mingus Dynasty septet that she formed after Mingus’ death in 1979, this 14-piece band features new arrangements of Mingus compositions in a larger band format that Mingus was not always able to organize in his lifetime. The dynamic structure encourages deep explorations and ever-evolving ideations of Mingus Music and provides a platform for individual artistic expression.

Drawing from a rotation of the best established and rising musicians, the Mingus Big Band is highly sought-after by festivals and prestigious venues around the world. The band has eleven recordings to its credit, six nominated for Grammys, and one win in 2011 with Live at Jazz Standard. A new album, The Charles Mingus Centennial Sessions, was released in October 2022 and nominated for a Grammy. The second volume will be released in 2024.

The band has become a New York institution for locals and tourists alike, with a weekly residency now in its fourth decade. From Thursday nights at Fez under Time Cafe, to Joe’s Pub, Iridium, and landing finally at Mingus Mondays at Jazz Standard until its pandemic closure.