CiTR

As the third of The Jazz Show's features of classics recorded in 1959,, we present Charles Mingus and his breakthrough album, "Mingus Ah Um" done for Columbia Records. This was the remarkable recording that rose Mingus up from the underground of Jazz to national prominence. Not only was this a productive period in Mingus' career, he also had one of his finest working bands as the 1959 edition of his "Jazz Workshop". John Handy on alto and tenor saxophone and clarinet, Booker Ervin on tenor saxophone, Horace Parlan on piano, Dannie Richmond on drums and of course Mingus on bass and occasionally piano. For these sessions Mingus was allowed to bring in some alumni from previous Workshops. Trombonists Jimmy Knepper and Willie Dennis are heard on various pieces as well as alto and tenor saxophonist Shafi Hadi who doesn't solo but fills out the ensembles with his sound. The album is beautifully produced and Mingus supervised everything, editing, order of the tunes, the notes. It marked the recorded debut of three of his most enduring compositions, "Better Get It In Your Soul". "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" and "Fables of Faubus" among many other gems. "Mingus Ah Um" opened many door for people and Charles Mingus and we'll hear it tonight!