The Mingus Big Band celebrates the music of composer/bassist Charles Mingus, who died in 1979. Under the artistic direction of Sue Mingus, this 14-piece band performed Thursday nights from 1991 to 2004 at Fez under Time Cafe in New York City and thereafter maintained weekly performances, including a Mingus Orchestra run at the brand new Joe's Pub.

"Mingus Mondays" at Jazz Standard brought the original Mingus Dynasty back into the mix and Mingus Mondays became a NYC institution. The Mingus Big Band tours extensively in the United States and abroad, and has a Grammy win and seven nominations among its eleven recordings. The new album in 2022 is titled: The Charles Mingus Centennial Sessions.

“The hippest big band in the universe - robust, earthy, sanctified.” - Time Out New York

"The Mingus Big Band - musician for musician - is one of the most spiritedand technically gifted bands in the country." - Seattle Examiner

"The jazz repertory event of the season. . . [the Big Band] is digging into the repertoire of Charles Mingus, playing old and new arrangements that capture the best parts of the Mingus legacy: the muscle, the affection for history, the willingness to take chances, the guts and soulfulness.” - The New York Times

“The best jazz orchestra in the world bears the name of the Mingus Big Band. . .a remarkable high standard of musicianship, energy and consistency." - The Washington Post

Photo credits: Gulnara Khamatova (header) and Boris Dunand (thumbnail)

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