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Let the People Hear Mingus’s Music
How the jazz great’s wife keeps his legacy alive
Photo: Mingus Big Band
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An ongoing musical tradition for over a half century are the upbeat jazz songs composed by the iconic Charles Mingus. After his death in 1979, Mingus’s music still lives on, thanks to his wife, Sue, a loving and hardworking woman who has taken over the reins and resurrected her husband’s music.
Over the years Sue has created multiple Mingus bands—such as the Mingus Big Band, Mingus Orchestra and Mingus Dynasty—with Charles’s music, of course, being the theme. But even though they’re all based off the same individual, the bands vary greatly from one another, each having their own personality and unique sound. The Big Band requires the most attention, as it’s composed of 14 pieces and features a variety of instruments, including the bassoon, guitar and French horn.
The bands have a secured spot to play once a week at the Jazz Standard (116 E. 27th St.) for Mingus Monday, where the three groups will rotate each week. The musicians who play on Mondays are chosen by their availability, skill and personality, and it is up to Sue to balance out their powers for a spectacular performance. If you’re interested in Mingus’s music and the legend that it upholds, you should check out the newly released Mingus Big Band Live at Jazz Standard, available here. The songs played are originals conducted by Mingus, brought to life again by talented musicians of all ages.
In hopes of finding new rising stars, the Mingus family has also sponsored the Charles Mingus High School Competition, a weekend for high school students where the Mingus players hold a workshop, as well as a day of competitions, followed by a concert at St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral (325 Park Ave.). The competition is now in its third year and continues to be a great way for younger musicians interested in jazz to improve their skills.
But there’s even more Mingus available—and this one’s of any interest for any jazz buff. “Epitaph,” a 500-page musical score composed by Mingus, was discovered years after his death and features 31 musicians and lasts over two hours. “Epitaph” made its way to the stage in 2007 conducted by Mingus’s friend, Gunter Schuller. According to Sue: “The two both produced the song ‘Half-Mast Inhibition,’ and they became friends, occasionally hanging out at Carnegie Hall together. Once the manuscript was found after Charles’s death, of course Gunter was going to play it.” Since then, “Epitaph” has been played at festivals throughout America, as well as many capitals in Europe.
Thanks to Sue and the players themselves, Charles Mingus will live on forever, and with the help of Mingus Mondays, the complex music can be heard in person on a weekly basis. It’s music that touches your heart, but also causes you to get up and shout, “Oh yeah!”
Tickets for Mingus Monday at the Jazz Standard can be purchased here.