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Mingus Dynasty
January 21, 2023 @ 7:30 pm
VJC Celebrates Charles Mingus’ centennial birthday anniversary with a “nimble and expert” touring group made up of charter members of the Mingus Orchestra. The band was initially formed by Sue Mingus (Charles’ widow) in 1979, just after Charles Mingus’ death to feature his repertoire and support the musicians he recorded or played with. The group was named after the 1959 album Mingus Dynasty. This concert will further shine a light on Sue Mingus’ acceptance of the 2023 NEA Jazz Master award, acknowledging her efforts in founding a non-profit honoring Charles Mingus’ legacy. The non-profit she leads employs a three-tiered structure designed to spread the word of Mingus’ repertoire including three Mingus bands (Orchestra, Big Band and Dynasty), an educational division (Let My Children Hear Music), and an annual Mingus Music Festival.
Because Mingus always said he was first and foremost a composer, and because he left behind over 300 compositions that deserved to be played, the Mingus Dynasty band carries on his music, vision and mission. Today, four decades later, the rich legacy of Mingus music ignites the bandstand encouraging new generations of musicians to add their individual voices this rich and varied musical legacy.
A short list of the many musicians who currently perform in the Mingus Orchestra/Mingus Big Band/Dynasty include Helen Sung, Freddie Bryant, Orrin Evans, Boris Koslov, Robin Eubanks, Philip Harper, Alex Foster, Sarah Hanahan, Ron Blake, Wayne Escoffery, Frank Ku-umba Lacy, Adam Cruz, and many others. Among the group’s esteemed alumni are Jimmy Owens, Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis, Jimmy Knepper, John Handy, Joe Farrell, George Adams, David Murray, Clifford Jordan, Don Pullen, Roland Hanna, Jaki Byard, Dannie Richmond, Billy Hart, Charlie Haden and many others.
—Bob Blumenthal, Rolling Stone
