April 22nd marks the birthday of legendary bassist and composer Charles Mingus. Mingus had a larger-than-life personality. He was volatile and, as Nat Hentoff described him, protean. His music combined strains of blues and gospel, Ellington-inspired harmonies, and distinctive, tricky melodies, underpinned by Mingus’ aggressive virtuosic bass playing. Often, his music was imbued with an exciting...Read More