CiTR

Tonight's Jazz feature is a long one but worth the listening effort as it is a very rare live performance by what this author considers to be Charles Mingus' last great band. This band recorded a wonderful double album set on Atlantic records in December 1974 called "Changes 1 and Changes 2" but this is a live performance by the very same band and it truly captures the energy and power of this band. The personnel is Jack Walrath (trumpet), George Adams (tenor saxophone), Don Pullen (piano), Dannie Richmond (drums) and of course Mr. Charles Mingus on bass. It was recorded in Bremen, Germany on July 9, 1975. The tunes are long and these unedited performances capture the band at it's inspired best. Mingus at this time was enjoying a period of re-discovery and a restoration of his power and musical authority before feeling the first effects of the ALS which took hold the following year and led to his passing at age 58 on January 5,1979. Mingus forever!