There have been many attempts to revisit the music of
Charles Mingus ever since his death in 1979 (with several of the groups being called
Mingus Dynasty), but this is by far the most successful of all the
Mingus tribute albums. The 20-piece
Mingus Big Band is an all-star unit comprised of mostly younger musicians who have spent several years really studying and getting inside the great bassist's music. The band's debut CD has such spirited soloists as baritonist
Ronnie Cuber (who introduces "Nostalgia in Times Square" with a memorable story of his first encounter with
Mingus), trumpeters
Randy Brecker,
Ryan Kisor, and
Jack Walrath, trombonists
Art Baron,
Frank Lacy, and
Dave Taylor, altoist
Steve Slagle, tenors
Chris Potter,
Craig Handy, and
John Stubblefield, and pianist Kenny Drew, Jr., among others. The ten
Mingus compositions are all given memorable treatments, particularly "Moanin'," the witty and somewhat nutty "Don't Be Afraid, the Clown's Afraid Too," and "Weird Nightmare." The new arrangements by Sy Johnson,
Jack Walrath, and
Ronnie Cuber are quite crowded and very much in the spirit of
Mingus. This was one of the top recordings to be released in 1994 and is essential for all serious jazz collections. ~ Scott Yanow