Don't know much about Ind's writing, or about Tristano, but I happened to be reading an interview with Chuck Nessa on AAJ regarding the early Mingus sides that Chuck co-produced. The topic of commercial appeal was broached:
AAJ: What do you think is the single clearest insight this group of recordings has given you regarding the music of Mingus? It's described in one part of the booklet as "the genesis of his later masterpieces."
CN: It's sort of all over the place...I'll put it this way: you have to understand the sort of sociology of L.A. at the time, what the independent recording scene was like and was saleable. So the early recordings are sort of modeled after other Central Avenue jump band good time music, because you could get a record date doing that sort of thing. But Mingus would always do something to push it a little further, to get himself out there a little more. Such as some unusual original compositions, or whatever: he'd slip in one out of the three, whatever, just trying to get his own music out there.
Doesn't really make anyone's case in the discussion on this thread. Just thought it was interesting. Carry on...