In celebration of the 85^th anniversary of the birth of protean bassist Charles Mingus, his epic work Epitaph will be performed in a series of two-hour concerts from New York City’s Rose Hall to Cleveland’s Tri-City Jazz Festival, then west to Los Angeles’ Walt Disney Concert Hall and Chicago’s Symphony Hall, featuring an all-star orchestra of 31 musicians. Considered by many as the most important jazz composition since Ellington’s extended works, conductor, composer and musicologist Gunther Schuller went even farther, saying, "To my knowledge, it is the most important prophetic statement in the history of jazz."

Composed over several decades, with early portions performed at the famed Town Hall concert in 1962, the full 500-page score was not discovered until after Mingus’ death in 1979, and was first performed in 1989. With 19 movements (one recently discovered), “Epitaph" covers the history of jazz, using Mingus’ orchestral trademarks --echoes of Ellington and gospel, extended classical forms, abrupt rhythmic shifts, lyrical passages that explode into dissonant choruses, and high-register solos supported by ostinato refrains on basses and trombones. Over the years, Gunther Schuller has arranged and conducted "Epitaph" for performances at festivals and concert halls including Tanglewood, Wolf Trap, Cleveland Symphony Hall, San Francisco Symphony Hall, the Chicago Jazz Festival and in major cities throughout Europe. Schuller will conduct all four performances this spring. At the premiere concert at Rose Hall in New York City (April 25^th), Bill Cosby will serve as host. A long-time jazz fan and supporter, Cosby hosted Mingus' “comeback concert” at Carnegie Hall in 1972, and featured Mingus’ music in his series, "The Cosby Mysteries."

Mingus Dynasty Band © Andrea CAnter

The Mingus Epitaph Orchestra features many well known as well as lesser known, accomplished musicans: Trombones - Sam Burtis, Ku-umba Frank Lacy, Andre Hayward, Conrad Herwig , Earl McIntyre, Dave Taylor; Tuba - Howard Johnson; Trumpet - Lew Soloff/Ryan Kisor, Walter White, Jack Walrath, Dave Ballou, Alex Sipiagin, Kenny Rampton; Bassoon - Michael Rabinowitz; Contrabass Clarinet - Douglas Yates; Alto Saxophone - Craig Handy, Steve Slagle, Abraham Burton; Tenor Saxophone - Kathy Halvorson, Wayne Escoffery; Baritone Saxophone - Ronnie Cuber, Lauren Sevian; Piano - Kenny Drew, Jr., George Colligan; Bass - Boris Kozlov, Christian McBride/Hans Glawishnig; Drums - Jonathan Blake; Percussion - Mark Belair, David Nyberg; Vibraphone - Christos Rafalides; Guitar - Jack Wilkins.

Mingus and the Legacy Bands

Born on April 22, 1922, Charles Mingus was one of the most fascinating and controversial characters in the history of jazz, and one of the genre’s true innovators. Raised in the Watts section of Los Angeles, he evolved his unique style in the 1950s while playing with such giants as Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Bud Powell, Art Tatum and Duke Ellington; he became one of the first bassists to serve as bandleader. Borrowing ideas from free jazz while retaining a tonal approach, his work encompassed the roots of swing, bop, blues and African music in a way that separated him from the avant garde musicians of his time. Working with small ensembles as well as big bands, Mingus often excluded the piano, bringing a greater role to the bass. His writings also set new directions for the development of big band music. Mingus was also known for his efforts to promote new musicians and their compositions through his “Jazz Workshop.” After his death, the National Endowment for the Arts helped fund a Mingus foundation, "Let My Children Hear Music," which catalogued all of Mingus' works that were then given to the Music Division of the New York Public Library, the first time such a collection of jazz works was made available to the public for study.

After Charles’ death, his wife Sue Mingus created and directed several repertory ensembles dedicated to the legacy of Mingus’ music, including the septet Mingus Dynasty, the Mingus Big Band, and the Mingus Orchestra; she continues to lead the bands and has produced several recordings.The Mingus Orchestra (usually a 10-piece ensemble) focuses on composition, expanded repertory, and exotic instrumentation, including bassoon, bass clarinet, French horn and guitar. Since the bassist’s death in 1979, the bands have presented over 100 musicians, featured over 20 guest artists, and premiered 100 of Mingus's 320 compositions.

The Epitaph Concert schedule:

• April 25 at Rose Hall (Jazz at Lincoln Center) in Manhattan, 7:30 pm; 212-721-6500; www.jalc.org

• April 27, Tri-C Jazz Fest (Allen Theater), Cleveland, 8 pm; 216-987-4400; www.tricpresents.com

• May 16, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, 8 pm; 323-850-2000; http://wdch.laphil.com/tix

• May 18, Symphony Hall, Chicago, 8 pm; 312-294-3000; www.cso.org

Additional information about Charles Mingus and his music, as well as the Epitaph concerts, is available at the Mingus website, http://www.mingusmingusmingus.com. Radio stations throughout the country as well as Sirius and XM satellite radio will be playing the music of Charles Mingus in celebration of his 85^th birthday this spring—check local listings.