Charles Mingus Jr.
Charles Mingus was a bassist, composer, and bandleader who is widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz composers alongside Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk. His music drew from gospel, blues, bebop, and classical music, creating complex compositions that demanded virtuosity from his ensembles. His fiery temperament and uncompromising artistic vision defined his legacy.
“Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity.”
— Charles Mingus
“Creativity is more than just being different. Anybody can plan weird; that's easy. What's hard is to be as simple as Bach.”
— Charles Mingus
“In my music, I'm trying to play the truth of what I am. The reason it's difficult is because I'm changing all the time.”
— Charles Mingus
“I am Charles Mingus. Half-black man. Yellow man. Half-man. Not even a man. Not enough to be a man. Who is a man?”
— Charles Mingus
“Anyone can make the simple complicated. Creativity is making the complicated simple.”
— Charles Mingus
“If Charlie Parker were alive today, he'd think he was in the wrong world.”
— Charles Mingus
“They're singing your praises while stealing your phrases.”
— Charles Mingus
“I'm trying to play the truth of what I am. The reason it's difficult is because I'm changing all the time.”
— Charles Mingus
“Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music.”
— Charles Mingus
“My sole ambition as a composer is to write music that will transport the listener to another place.”
— Charles Mingus
Mingus Ah Um
1959
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady
1963
Pithecanthropus Erectus
1956
Mingus at Antibes
1960
Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus
1964