September 1, 2005
To: Listings/Critics/Features From: Iridium Jazz Club PRESS Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected]
IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB 1650 BROADWAY (Corner of 51st) NEW YORK, NY 10023 RESERVATIONS: 212-582-2121, www.iridiumjazzclub.com
EVERY TUESDAY MINGUS BIG BAND! Sets at 8 & 10PM
The hippest big band in the universe - robust, earthy, sanctified." Time Out New York
The band personnel changes from week to week though many musicians are in the band more often than others. Still, it is always a surprise.
Musicians include:
Ku-umba Fank Lacy, Conrad Herwig, Earl McIntyre, Isaac Smith, Craig Handy, Wayne Escoffery, Seamus Blake, Ronnie Cuber, Lauren Sevian, Abraham Burton, Jaleel Shaw, David Lee Jones, Alex Foster, George Colligan, David Kikoski, Boris Kozlov, Joe Martin, Andy McKee, Donald Edwards, Johnathan Blake, Eddie Henderson, Jeremy Pelt, Alex Sipiagin, Earl Gardner,Kenny Rampton, Randy Brecker (who will play with the band next week on Sept. 6),-- and many many others from week to week.
The Iridium Jazz Club is pleased to announce that the Mingus Big Band will continue it's weekly residency every Tuesday performing two sets at 8 and 10:00PM.
The Mingus Big Band celebrates the music of the composer and bassist, Charles Mingus, who died in 1979. Under the artistic direction of Sue Mingus, this 14-piece band has performed Thursday nights since 1991 at the Fez under Time Cafe in New York City, occasionally alternating with the Charles Mingus Orchestra. The Mingus Big Band tours extensively in the United States and abroad, and has six recordings to its credit, three of which have been nominated for Grammys. Time Out New York calls the Mingus Big Band “The hippest big band in the universe- robust, earthy, sanctified."
Charles Mingus' left behind one of the largest legacies of composition in 20th century American music. At the 1997 Grammy Awards ceremony, he posthumously received NARAS's Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1993, his entire catalog of works-- scores, recording tapes, correspondence, photographs, memorabilia and writings-- were acquired by the Library of Congress. His face appears on a US postage stamp, and his spirit looms over the Mingus Big Band wherever they perform.
Here's what the press has to say about the Mingus Big Band:
“This is a knockout band, full of players who combine ensemble spirit and instrumental mastery with the quirky roughness and individualistic timbres needed for Mingus's turbulent scores." - The Guardian, U.K.
“Unlike some, this repertory band doesn't grow stale or ossified --- the reasons are threefold. One, the touring personnel is constantly shifting, bringing in fresh approaches. Two, the repertory of Mingus is so vast, varied and unpredictable that it might always be a renewable resource. Three, founder/guiding light Sue Mingus won't let the spirit wither." - Daily Variety
“Still going strong after 14 years, still blowing up the joint at virtually every opportunity, the Mingus Big Band gave the faithful Thursday at Royce Hall a mighty blast of the wild, wooly spirit of Charles Mingus. The ensemble is tighter ... yet still prone to rightly chaotic exuberance. The soloing is just as individual and uproarious." - Daily Variety
“The group has revived Charles Mingus's repertory and the brawling, muscular, hard-swinging, bluesy way he wanted it played." -The New York Times
“Mingus's music doesn't merely deserve to be heard; jazz needs it." -The New York Times
“A spirited blend of the lush harmonies and boisterous blues sections, interwoven ensemble passages and sudden tempo shifts that made the late bassist Charles Mingus one of the most challenging and celebrated artists in jazz." -Los Angeles Times
“Succeeds so triumphantly where others [repertory bands] have failed." -The London Times
“An astonishingly telepathic ensemble." -New York Daily News
“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
Here are some reviews about the new CD I Am Three (Sunnyside/Sue Mingus Music):
“****" - Downbeat (four stars)
“Thank God for Sue Mingus, the jazz widow to end all jazz widows. It's one thing to strive to preserve your late husband's musical legacy, it's quite another to create some of the great working ensembles in current jazz to do just that. The result is way beyond preservation and neo-classic reverence for Charles Mingus, one of jazz's most explosive geniuses. It's wild, eruptive, disruptive and ambitious music on its own that grabs you by throat and holds on. It isn't just Mingus' music that musicians like John Hicks, Jack Wilkins, Craig Handy, Randy Brecker and Seamus Blake are preserving but his unique and primal American musical spirit. One of the year's great jazz discs." Review: 4 stars - The Buffalo News
“Three ensembles dedicated to the work of Charles Mingus - Mingus Big Band, Orchestra and Dynasty - keep it fresh and accessible on “I Am Three" (Sunnyside/Sue Mingus Music). Try “Orange Is the Color of Her Dress. “A-" - Philadelphia Daily News
“The album’s excellence, really, is a product of tight, ensemble performance and fiercely emotional commitment on the part of the musicians to the composer's music. One never gets the impression these players are covering Mingus because it's a gig. And it's this unity of purpose that energizes I Am Three, and makes it much more than just another tribute album. The composer is alive on these recordings." - All About Jazz
For more information about the Mingus Big Band please visit: www.mingusmingusmingus.com/
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To: Listings/Critics/Features From: Iridium Jazz Club PRESS Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected]
IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB 1650 BROADWAY (Corner of 51st) NEW YORK, NY 10023 RESERVATIONS: 212-582-2121, www.iridiumjazzclub.com
EVERY TUESDAY MINGUS BIG BAND! Sets at 8 & 10PM
The hippest big band in the universe - robust, earthy, sanctified." Time Out New York
The band personnel changes from week to week though many musicians are in the band more often than others. Still, it is always a surprise.
Musicians include:
Ku-umba Fank Lacy, Conrad Herwig, Earl McIntyre, Isaac Smith, Craig Handy, Wayne Escoffery, Seamus Blake, Ronnie Cuber, Lauren Sevian, Abraham Burton, Jaleel Shaw, David Lee Jones, Alex Foster, George Colligan, David Kikoski, Boris Kozlov, Joe Martin, Andy McKee, Donald Edwards, Johnathan Blake, Eddie Henderson, Jeremy Pelt, Alex Sipiagin, Earl Gardner,Kenny Rampton, Randy Brecker (who will play with the band next week on Sept. 6),-- and many many others from week to week.
The Iridium Jazz Club is pleased to announce that the Mingus Big Band will continue it's weekly residency every Tuesday performing two sets at 8 and 10:00PM.
The Mingus Big Band celebrates the music of the composer and bassist, Charles Mingus, who died in 1979. Under the artistic direction of Sue Mingus, this 14-piece band has performed Thursday nights since 1991 at the Fez under Time Cafe in New York City, occasionally alternating with the Charles Mingus Orchestra. The Mingus Big Band tours extensively in the United States and abroad, and has six recordings to its credit, three of which have been nominated for Grammys. Time Out New York calls the Mingus Big Band “The hippest big band in the universe- robust, earthy, sanctified."
Charles Mingus' left behind one of the largest legacies of composition in 20th century American music. At the 1997 Grammy Awards ceremony, he posthumously received NARAS's Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1993, his entire catalog of works-- scores, recording tapes, correspondence, photographs, memorabilia and writings-- were acquired by the Library of Congress. His face appears on a US postage stamp, and his spirit looms over the Mingus Big Band wherever they perform.
Here's what the press has to say about the Mingus Big Band:
“This is a knockout band, full of players who combine ensemble spirit and instrumental mastery with the quirky roughness and individualistic timbres needed for Mingus's turbulent scores." - The Guardian, U.K.
“Unlike some, this repertory band doesn't grow stale or ossified --- the reasons are threefold. One, the touring personnel is constantly shifting, bringing in fresh approaches. Two, the repertory of Mingus is so vast, varied and unpredictable that it might always be a renewable resource. Three, founder/guiding light Sue Mingus won't let the spirit wither." - Daily Variety
“Still going strong after 14 years, still blowing up the joint at virtually every opportunity, the Mingus Big Band gave the faithful Thursday at Royce Hall a mighty blast of the wild, wooly spirit of Charles Mingus. The ensemble is tighter ... yet still prone to rightly chaotic exuberance. The soloing is just as individual and uproarious." - Daily Variety
“The group has revived Charles Mingus's repertory and the brawling, muscular, hard-swinging, bluesy way he wanted it played." -The New York Times
“Mingus's music doesn't merely deserve to be heard; jazz needs it." -The New York Times
“A spirited blend of the lush harmonies and boisterous blues sections, interwoven ensemble passages and sudden tempo shifts that made the late bassist Charles Mingus one of the most challenging and celebrated artists in jazz." -Los Angeles Times
“Succeeds so triumphantly where others [repertory bands] have failed." -The London Times
“An astonishingly telepathic ensemble." -New York Daily News
“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
Here are some reviews about the new CD I Am Three (Sunnyside/Sue Mingus Music):
“****" - Downbeat (four stars)
“Thank God for Sue Mingus, the jazz widow to end all jazz widows. It's one thing to strive to preserve your late husband's musical legacy, it's quite another to create some of the great working ensembles in current jazz to do just that. The result is way beyond preservation and neo-classic reverence for Charles Mingus, one of jazz's most explosive geniuses. It's wild, eruptive, disruptive and ambitious music on its own that grabs you by throat and holds on. It isn't just Mingus' music that musicians like John Hicks, Jack Wilkins, Craig Handy, Randy Brecker and Seamus Blake are preserving but his unique and primal American musical spirit. One of the year's great jazz discs." Review: 4 stars - The Buffalo News
“Three ensembles dedicated to the work of Charles Mingus - Mingus Big Band, Orchestra and Dynasty - keep it fresh and accessible on “I Am Three" (Sunnyside/Sue Mingus Music). Try “Orange Is the Color of Her Dress. “A-" - Philadelphia Daily News
“The album’s excellence, really, is a product of tight, ensemble performance and fiercely emotional commitment on the part of the musicians to the composer's music. One never gets the impression these players are covering Mingus because it's a gig. And it's this unity of purpose that energizes I Am Three, and makes it much more than just another tribute album. The composer is alive on these recordings." - All About Jazz
For more information about the Mingus Big Band please visit: www.mingusmingusmingus.com/
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For more information contact All About Jazz.
