Mingus, Charles, 1922-1979

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1922-04-22
Death 1979-01-05
Active 1950
Active 1982
Birth 1944
Americans
English

Biographical notes:

Charles Mingus, African-American jazz bassist, was born April 22, 1922, in Nogales, Arizona. He began to study the cello in 1934, switching to the bass in 1937. In 1939 he began studying composition with Lloyd Reese and composed What love and Half mast inhibitions. He began his professional career in 1940, playing bass with Lee Young, and he toured with Louis Armstromg's big band the following year. In 1942 he played bass with Barney Bigard's ensemble which featured retired trombonist Kid Ory. The next year he began studying symphonic form and technique with Herman Rheinschagen. He toured with Lionel Hampton's big band beginning in 1946 and in 1950 gained national attention as a member of Red Norvo's trio. He founded the Jazz Workshop, Inc., in 1955 and in 1964 started the record company Charles Mingus Enterprises. His autobiography Beneath the underdog was published in 1972. Charles Mingus died Jan. 5, 1979.

From the description of Charles Mingus collection, 1939-1979. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71055796

Biographical Sketch

1922 Born April 22 in Nogales, Arizona, to Harriett Sophia Mingus and Charles Mingus, Sr.; Sergeant Charles Mingus, Sr. retired from the U.S. Army on August 31; Mingus family moved to Los Angeles, California; Harriett Mingus died October 3. 1928 Given his first musical instrument, the trombone, by his father for Christmas. 1934 Persuaded by fellow trombonist and friend Britt Woodman, Mingus began studying the cello. 1937 Suggested by high school musician Buddy Collette, Mingus switched from cello to bass. 1938 Mingus introduced to bassist Red Callender by Buddy Collette; Mingus began studying with Callender; began arranging pieces for the high school jazz ensemble. 1939 Began studying composition with Lloyd Reese; composed What Love and Half Mast Inhibitions. 1940 Professional career began at the age of eighteen when he began playing bass with Lee Young. 1941 Began touring with Louis Armstrong's big band. 1942 Played bass with Barney Bigard's ensemble which featured retired trombonist Kid Ory. 1943 Began studying symphonic form and technique with former bassist of the New York Philharmonic, Herman Rheinschagen. 1944 Married Camilla Jeanne Gross on January 3; met saxophonist Eric Dolphy; Charles Mingus III was born on September 12. 1946 Began touring with Lionel Hampton's big band; Eugene Mingus born in September; Mingus separated from wife Jeanne; Mingus takes part-time job at San Francisco post office during Christmas. 1947 Step-brother Odell Carson died in August. 1950 Gained national attention as a member of Red Norvo's trio. 1951 Married Celia Nielson on April 2; moved from the West Coast to New York City for the remainder of his life. 1952 For economic reasons, Mingus for the second time in his life took a job at the Post Office; persuaded to quit that job by Charlie Parker; celebrated his thirtieth birthday recording the first session for his newly formed record label, Debut Records. 1954 Recorded his tunes Getting Together and Gregarian Chant. 1955 Founded the Jazz Workshop, Inc. 1956 Released Pithecanthropus Erectus in September; established Mingus as an innovative jazz composer. 1959 Although Mingus composed the piece at the age of seventeen, he finally recorded Half Mast Inhibitions with a 22 piece orchestra conducted by Gunther Schuller. 1962 With some difficulty, Mingus began search for a publisher for his autobiographical Beneath the Underdog. 1964 Played concert at Monterey; started record company called Charles Mingus Enterprises, which recorded and released the Monterey concert as its first product under the title "Mingus at Monterey"; Mingus elected Jazz Man of the Year by Downbeat Magazine. 1966 Suffering from psychological and financial problems, Mingus began self-imposed exile from public life and performing. 1969 Resumed his music career in June. 1970 Made final music tour of Europe in the fall. 1971 Granted fellowship for composition from the Guggenheim Foundation; a one hour film titled "Mingus" was aired nationally in March and April; Beneath the Underdog was published by Knopf in April; performed at the Newport Jazz Festival in July. 1972 Commissioned to write three-act ballet on "The Life of Malcolm X" for Alvin Ailey's Ballet for the spring of 1972. 1976 Collaborated on album with pop singer Joni Mitchell. 1979 After battling physical complications for several years, Mingus succumbed on January 5.

From the guide to the Charles Mingus Collection, 1939-1979, (Music Division Library of Congress)

Epithet: jazz bass player

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000977.0x0001bd

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Subjects:

  • Instrumental ensemble, Arranged
  • Jazz
  • Jazz
  • Jazz
  • Jazz musicians
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  • Jazz
  • Jazz

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