Search - Charles Mingus :: Jazz Composers Workshop

Mid-1950s Mingus

svf | 03/15/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"An intersting release documenting the rapidly-evolving Mingus of the 1950s, this CD contains material from small group sessions recorded in 1954 and 1955. If you're familiar with the recordings "Jazz Experiments of..." on Bethlehem or some of the later Debut material, you'll have an idea what this sounds like... post-bop-oriented jazz with the originality that Mingus always brings to the table. Tracks 1-4 and 9 & 10 are from a Mingus-led session including John LaPorta on reeds, Teo Macero on tenor and bari sax, Mal Waldron piano, and Rudy Nichols, drums. "Tea for Two" is one of those curious hybrid experiements, combining the title tune with elements of "Body and Soul" and "Perdido" (and perhaps others?) to form an exciting new multi-layered creation. "Eulogy for Rudy Williams" is a curious, moody tone poem that looks ahead to Mingus' later works, and the previously unissued bonus track "Body and Soul" is very lovely and romantic.Tracks 5-8 were composed and led by pianist Wally Cirillo and are more traditional in structure with light and swinging piano work and intersting solos from Mingus. Other players here are Teo on tenor and Kenny Clarke, drums. Overall, another piece of the puzzle that is Mingus, documenting an interesting and fertile developmental period that laid the groundwork for the incredible achievements that followed."