Charles Mingus - The Jazz Experiments Of Charles Mingus (2013) [Hi-Res]

Originally released on two 10' records called Jazzical Moods, The Jazz Experiments of Charles Mingus makes its first appearance in CD. These 1954 Period Records sessions include the work of Thad Jones on trumpet and John LaPorta on clarinet and alto sax, combine old and new forms of classical and jazz for a cool jazz sound. Tracks like 'Minor Intrusion' and 'Thrice Upon a Time' demonstrate the synergy between Mingus and his players, and display his compositional skills.

One of the most important figures in twentieth century American music, Charles Mingus was a virtuoso bass player, accomplished pianist, bandleader and composer. Born on a military base in Nogales, Arizona in 1922 and raised in Watts, California, his earliest musical influences came from the church– choir and group singing– and from “hearing Duke Ellington over the radio when [he] was eight years old.” He studied double bass and composition in a formal way (five years with H. Rheinshagen, principal bassist of the New York Philharmonic, and compositional techniques with the legendary Lloyd Reese) while absorbing vernacular music from the great jazz masters, first-hand. His early professional experience, in the 40?s, found him touring with bands like Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory and Lionel Hampton.

Eventually he settled in New York where he played and recorded with the leading musicians of the 1950's– Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Bud Powell, Art Tatum and Duke Ellington himself. One of the few bassists to do so, Mingus quickly developed as a leader of musicians. He was also an accomplished pianist who could have made a career playing that instrument.

The Jazz Experiments of Charles Mingus is a farily obscure collaboration between Charles Mingus and John LaPorta that contains both modern classical and cool jazz compositions plus Mingus' piano debut. This six-piece set includes fresh arrangements of 'What Is This Thing Called Love' and 'Stormy Weather'.

'These 1954 Period Records sessions include the work of Thad Jones on trumpet and John LaPorta on clarinet and alto sax, combine old and new forms of classical and jazz for a cool jazz sound. Tracks like 'Minor Intrusion' and 'Thrice Upon a Time' demonstrate the synergy between Mingus and his players, and display his compositional skills.' (Heather Phares, allmusic.com)

Charles Mingus, bass, piano
John LaPorta, clarinet, alto saxophone
Thad Jones, trumpet
Teo Macero, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone
Jackson Wiley, cello
Clem DeRosa, drums, tambourine

Recorded in New York, December 1954

Digitally remastered