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Charles Mingus (1922-1979) is considered the stylistically most versatile of all major figures in jazz. His music is a coherent blend of diverse jazz styles, blues, and gospel music bridging influences from Duke Ellington with free jazz intensity. In almost every composition Mingus modified conventional forms by adding rhythmic contrasts: double-, half-, or stop-time passages, shifting tempos or meters, and walking, shuffle, two-beat, or Latin patterns. He had a particular preference for changing textures, dense sonorities, striking dissonances, collective impro-visation, and overlapping riffs. His rhythmic and textural devices and his biting sarcasm pre-figured the Black Movement of the 60s.
Ever after Joni Mitchell's album "Mingus" (back in 1979), Mingus' extraordinary music has never been the subject of an internationally acclaimed singer's project. Kevin Mahogany, the leading male jazz singer of our days, met this special challenge when invited by the WDR Big Band to join forces with two legendary ex-Mingus sidemen, Charles McPherson (with Mingus in 1965) and Jimmy Knepper (with Mingus from 1957 to 1961), for an outstanding program of Mingus originals arranged by Bill Dobbins, Jimmy Knepper (Reincarnation Of A Love Bird), and Bill Holman (Good-Bye Pork Pie Hat).
With all these great ingredients - Mingus' unmistakable tunes, highly original arrangements, some outstanding improvisers, a cooking band, an enthusiastic audience, and - above all - Mahogany's big, silky voice -, the result is a heavy, swinging jazz album of the highest order.
KEVIN MAHOGANY on ENJA:
ENJ-7097 2 Double Rainbow
ENJ-8072 2 Songs And Moments
ENJ-9039 2 You Got What It Takes
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Some other recordings by
Kevin Mahogany:
(Full list)
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