Reissued June 18, 2021
Run Out Groove
1xLP
Sitting somewhere in between the disciplined, forward-thinking work of Miles Davis in the late 1950s and the reckless abandon of Ornette Coleman’s early-60s work, Charles Mingus straddled accessibility with the avant-garde more gracefully than nearly anyone else and has rightfully earned a place as one of the 20th century’s great jazz composers. While there is no question as to the individual genius of Mingus as a composer, his work as an improviser and a collaborator can sometimes be overlooked. While Mingus had a reputation as a difficult guy to work with and stories of his short temper with collaborators are legendary, you hear none of that here on Mingus at Carnegie Hall. Recorded in 1974 with a large group of newcomers and veterans, the recording fnds Mingus at his most joyful with the band jamming on jazz standards and favourites from his extensive back catalogue to make for something that showcases the heights that can be reached by live music and collective creativity.