Description
Charles Mingus (April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979) was an American jazz double bassist, composer, bandleader, and civil rights activist. He was a major figure in the jazz world and is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential jazz musicians of the twentieth century.
Mingus was born in Nogales, Arizona and grew up in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. He began playing the bass in high school and soon became a prominent session bassist for a variety of jazz artists. He formed his own group, the Jazz Workshop, in 1954, and over the next two decades, he composed and recorded some of the most important and influential jazz albums of the era. He was a prolific composer, writing over 300 compositions, many of which have since become jazz standards. His most popular albums include The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (1963) and Mingus Ah Um (1959).
Mingus was a fearless and outspoken critic of racism, and he advocated for civil rights through his music. He was an active participant in the jazz scene of the 1960s and 70s, and a mentor to a new generation of jazz musicians. His legacy continues to influence today’s jazz artists.
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