chris Posted April 20, 2005 Report Posted April 20, 2005 I'm excited-- we're finally getting some live jazz herein the frozen north (no kidding, we just got three inches of snow yesterday)... the Mingus Big Band is coming to town. Anyone know what their current line-up is looking like? Anyone heard 'em lately? Quote
LAL Posted April 20, 2005 Report Posted April 20, 2005 Just saw them last night. Blew me out my seat. They played mainly the famous Mingus tunes (Good Bye Pork Pie Hat, Fables of Faublus etc) plus one recent composition I think by the current bassist. Most of the band members got a chance to solo, with the band leader, Craig Handy, taking a good share of solo space on tenor and flute. Boris Koslov was the bassist and Johnathan Blake was on drums - both powered the rhythm section very well. Fantastic 100 minutes of live music! Quote
kh1958 Posted April 20, 2005 Report Posted April 20, 2005 Here are the current regulars, according to the Iridium site. Regulars in the 14-piece band are selected from among the following: 3 Trumpets: Randy Brecker, Eddie Henderson, Alex Sipiagin, Kenny Rampton, Jeremy Pelt, Walter White, Ryan Kisor, Earl Gardner. 3 Trombones: Conrad Herwig, Ku-umba Frank Lacy, Robin Eubanks, Clark Gayton, Luis Bonilla, Isaac Smith, Earl McIntyre, Dave Taylor, Douglas Purviance. 5 Saxophones: Seamus Blake, Craig Handy, Wayne Escoffery, John Stubblefield, Vincent Herring, Abraham Burton, Ronnie Cuber, Mike Sim, Jaleel Shaw, Lauren Sevian. Piano: David Kikoski, Orrin Evans, George Colligan, Kenny Drew Jr., John Hicks, David Budway. Bass: Boris Kozlov, Vicente Archer, Andy McKee, Duane Burno, John Benitez, Chip Jackson. Drums: Donald Edwards, Johnathan Blake, Tommy Campbell, Gene Jackson. Quote
Guy Berger Posted April 20, 2005 Report Posted April 20, 2005 I'm excited-- we're finally getting some live jazz herein the frozen north (no kidding, we just got three inches of snow yesterday)... the Mingus Big Band is coming to town. Anyone know what their current line-up is looking like? Anyone heard 'em lately? I heard them last year at the Fez (NYC). They're grrrrrrrrreat! Guy Quote
bertrand Posted April 20, 2005 Report Posted April 20, 2005 Is the Fez thing still happening? I got a postcard that said that they were now at Joe's pub on Thursdays. Oh, this is Wednesday - did the Fez thing move to Tuesdays? What night is the Iridium gig? Bertrand. Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted April 20, 2005 Report Posted April 20, 2005 They were fantastic when they came to London at the end of last year, although I didn't enjoy Kikoski's piano playing much...Very studied and safe, by the standards of this band. Quote
jlhoots Posted April 20, 2005 Report Posted April 20, 2005 Excellent in Santa Fe a few months ago. Orrin Evans was on piano. Moving tribute by the band to John Stubblefield who apparently is quite ill. Quote
king ubu Posted April 20, 2005 Report Posted April 20, 2005 Stubblefield was not in that good shape when I saw them (there's a thread about it, I think, in the appropriate section of the board). But look out for Wayne Escofferey! I love his playing, told him so after the concert, and he seems to be a very kind person. Eddie Henderson was the letdown, the other two trumpet players present, Gayton and Sipiagin, did some great blowing, though! Quote
medjuck Posted April 20, 2005 Report Posted April 20, 2005 (edited) Argghhhhh!!!!!! They're in town on Saturday but it's the first night of Passover and we're holding a seder. Saw them once in LA and John Handy sat in. Great evening. BTW Does anyone here have information re: donating to Stubblefield's health fund? Edited April 21, 2005 by medjuck Quote
BFrank Posted April 20, 2005 Report Posted April 20, 2005 Is the Fez thing still happening? I got a postcard that said that they were now at Joe's pub on Thursdays. Oh, this is Wednesday - did the Fez thing move to Tuesdays? What night is the Iridium gig? Bertrand. I think Fez is closed, that's why they moved to Joe's Pub. I saw them about a year ago, too (at Fez). Definitely a lot of fun. Quote
kh1958 Posted April 20, 2005 Report Posted April 20, 2005 The Mingus Big Band plays at Iridium on Tuesday and the Mingus Orchestra plays at Joe's Pub on Thursday. Quote
Adam Posted April 20, 2005 Report Posted April 20, 2005 Seeing them tomorrow night (Thursday 4/21) at UCLA Royce Hall. I don't think it's sold out. Quote
David Ayers Posted April 21, 2005 Report Posted April 21, 2005 I heard them in London and posted about it here. Enjoy!! Quote
chris Posted May 2, 2005 Author Report Posted May 2, 2005 (edited) I went to this show on Friday and it was FANTASTIC. The lineup was: Sax: Craig Handy, Jaleel Shaw, Miguel Zenon, Abraham Burton, Ronnie Cuber Trumpets: Eddie Henderson, Kenny Rampton, Ryan Kisor Trombones: Ron Westray, Ku-umba Frank Lacy, Earl McIntyre Piano: Kenny Drew Je Bass: Boriz Kozlov Drums: Jonathan Blake I don't remember the exact order and contents of the sets, but the two generous sets included: E's Flat and Ah's Flat Too Self Portrait in Three Colors Song in Orange Paris in Blue Tonight at Noon Black Saint and Sinner Lady Frank Lacy is a real character and kept things hopping, getting our rather unsure audience (not much jazz up here) going. Loved his vocals on Paris in Blue and another song, though I suspect the purists would find that stuff ind of light. What can I say, I cried listening to Illinois Jacquet's rendition of Wonderful World once too. Highlights included Song in Orange, which was intensely swinging and featured some awesome soloing including Ron Westray, and the extended Black Saint and Sinner Lady which had some amazing soloing by Shaw and Henderson. Kozlov and Blake are a *tight* pair, though watching Kozlov I still couldn't reconcile his classic Russian features with that righteous bass playing. Earl McIntyre even got the house hopping on the tuba at the end! The only relatively "disappointing" part was Kenny Drew, Jr's. playing. To be fair, it wasn't mic'ed very well... but it was just very safe and seemed very conventional to my ears. Maybe he wasn't sleeping well in the land of the midnight sun I'm assuming he is the famous Kenny Drew's son? What a great show. I talked quite a few people into going who weren't jazz listeners-- I think they came away changed... Edited May 2, 2005 by chris Quote
kh1958 Posted October 3, 2008 Report Posted October 3, 2008 The Mingus Dynasty, Mingus Orchestra and Mingus Big Band are relocating from the Iridium to Jazz Standard and, after an inaugural week, will alternate on Monday nights. Monday, October 6 MINGUS MONDAYS kicks off with a full week of Mingus, with all three bands and special guests. Sets are at 7:30 and 9:30, with an extra 11:30 set on Fridays and Saturdays. Doors open an hour prior. Jazz Standard features wonderful Blue Smoke BBQ. There is never a minimum. Look at this lineup: Monday Oct. 6, 2008 DYNASTY Bass: Boris Kozlov Drums: Adam Cruz Piano: Helen Sung Trumpet: Alex Sipiagin Trombone: Ku-umba Frank Lacy Tenor Sax: Seamus Blake Alto Sax: Craig Handy Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008 DYNASTY Bass: Boris Kozlov Drums: Adam Cruz Piano: David Kikoski Alto Sax: Craig Handy Tenor Sax: Seamus Blake Trombone: Ku-umba Frank Lacy Trumpet: Alex Sipiagin Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008 MINGUS ORCHESTRA Bass: Boris Kozlov Drums: Adam Cruz Guitar: David Gilmore Alto Sax: Craig Handy Tenor Sax: Seamus Blake Trombone: Ku-umba Frank Lacy Trumpet: Tatum Greenblatt Bassoon: Michael Rabinowitz French Horn: John Clark Bass Clarinet: Doug Yates Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008 MINGUS ORCHESTRA Bass: Joe Martin Drums: Adam Cruz Guitar: Freddie Bryant Alto Sax: Craig Handy Tenor Sax: Wayne Escoferry Trombone: Conrad Herwig Trumpet: Tatum Greenblatt Bassoon: Michael Rabinowitz French Horn: John Clark Bass Clarinet: Doug Yates Friday, Oct. 10, 2008 MINGUS BIG BAND Trumpet: Lew Soloff Trumpet: Earl Gardner Trumpet: Jack Walrath Trombone: Earl McIntyre Trombone: Ku-umba Frank Lacy Trombone: Clark Gayton Alto Sax: Jaleel Shaw Alto Sax: Vincent Herring Tenor Sax: Craig Handy Tenor Sax: Wayne Escoffery Baritone Sax: Ronnie Cuber Drums: Victor Lewis Bass: Dwayne Burno Piano: David Kikoski Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008 MINGUS BIG BAND Trumpet: Lew Soloff Trumpet: Earl Gardner Trumpet: Jeremy Pelt Trombone: Earl McIntyre Trombone: Ku-umba Frank Lacy Trombone: Joe Fiedler Alto Sax: Jaleel Shaw Alto Sax: Vincent Herring Tenor Sax: Wayne Escoffery Tenor Sax: Craig Handy Baritone Sax: Ronnie Cuber Drums: Adam Cruz Piano: David Kikoski Bass: Dwayne Burno Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008 MINGUS BIG BAND Trumpet: Randy Brecker Trumpet: Lew Soloff Trumpet: Earl Gardner Trombone: Earl Mcintyre Trombone: Conrad Herwig Trombone: Clark Gayton Tenor Sax: Seamus Blake Tenor Sax: Brandon Wright Alto Sax: Vincent Herring Alto Sax: Jaleel Shaw Baritone Sax: Lauren Sevian- Drums: Adam Cruz Piano: David Kikoski Bass: Dwayne Burno Quote
ValerieB Posted October 3, 2008 Report Posted October 3, 2008 The Mingus Dynasty, Mingus Orchestra and Mingus Big Band are relocating from the Iridium to Jazz Standard and, after an inaugural week, will alternate on Monday nights. Monday, October 6 MINGUS MONDAYS kicks off with a full week of Mingus, with all three bands and special guests. Sets are at 7:30 and 9:30, with an extra 11:30 set on Fridays and Saturdays. Doors open an hour prior. Jazz Standard features wonderful Blue Smoke BBQ. There is never a minimum. Look at this lineup: Monday Oct. 6, 2008 DYNASTY Bass: Boris Kozlov Drums: Adam Cruz Piano: Helen Sung Trumpet: Alex Sipiagin Trombone: Ku-umba Frank Lacy Tenor Sax: Seamus Blake Alto Sax: Craig Handy Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008 DYNASTY Bass: Boris Kozlov Drums: Adam Cruz Piano: David Kikoski Alto Sax: Craig Handy Tenor Sax: Seamus Blake Trombone: Ku-umba Frank Lacy Trumpet: Alex Sipiagin Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008 MINGUS ORCHESTRA Bass: Boris Kozlov Drums: Adam Cruz Guitar: David Gilmore Alto Sax: Craig Handy Tenor Sax: Seamus Blake Trombone: Ku-umba Frank Lacy Trumpet: Tatum Greenblatt Bassoon: Michael Rabinowitz French Horn: John Clark Bass Clarinet: Doug Yates Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008 MINGUS ORCHESTRA Bass: Joe Martin Drums: Adam Cruz Guitar: Freddie Bryant Alto Sax: Craig Handy Tenor Sax: Wayne Escoferry Trombone: Conrad Herwig Trumpet: Tatum Greenblatt Bassoon: Michael Rabinowitz French Horn: John Clark Bass Clarinet: Doug Yates Friday, Oct. 10, 2008 MINGUS BIG BAND Trumpet: Lew Soloff Trumpet: Earl Gardner Trumpet: Jack Walrath Trombone: Earl McIntyre Trombone: Ku-umba Frank Lacy Trombone: Clark Gayton Alto Sax: Jaleel Shaw Alto Sax: Vincent Herring Tenor Sax: Craig Handy Tenor Sax: Wayne Escoffery Baritone Sax: Ronnie Cuber Drums: Victor Lewis Bass: Dwayne Burno Piano: David Kikoski Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008 MINGUS BIG BAND Trumpet: Lew Soloff Trumpet: Earl Gardner Trumpet: Jeremy Pelt Trombone: Earl McIntyre Trombone: Ku-umba Frank Lacy Trombone: Joe Fiedler Alto Sax: Jaleel Shaw Alto Sax: Vincent Herring Tenor Sax: Wayne Escoffery Tenor Sax: Craig Handy Baritone Sax: Ronnie Cuber Drums: Adam Cruz Piano: David Kikoski Bass: Dwayne Burno Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008 MINGUS BIG BAND Trumpet: Randy Brecker Trumpet: Lew Soloff Trumpet: Earl Gardner Trombone: Earl Mcintyre Trombone: Conrad Herwig Trombone: Clark Gayton Tenor Sax: Seamus Blake Tenor Sax: Brandon Wright Alto Sax: Vincent Herring Alto Sax: Jaleel Shaw Baritone Sax: Lauren Sevian- Drums: Adam Cruz Piano: David Kikoski Bass: Dwayne Burno i'd be there EVERY night if i could. i'll be seeing them tonight in L.A. but lots of the above-listed guys (especially some of my faves) won't be there or in San Pedro tomorrow night. i'm sure the band will still be slammin' though. Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted October 3, 2008 Report Posted October 3, 2008 I've seen them three times - once in Wales (Brecon), once at Fez and last year at the Bath Jazz Festival. Absolutely thrilling every time. Not just the notes but the spirit of Mingus music. Quote
kh1958 Posted October 3, 2008 Report Posted October 3, 2008 I miss their first venue--the Fez underneath the Time Cafe--a basement club which was usually packed (the admission price was modest and so there was a younger crowd). The sound was pretty overwhelming there, and the band would often catch fire. The Iridium is a pricey club near Times Square--much of the crowd seemed to be tourists whose tour itinerary included visiting one jazz club and who probably never heard of Mingus. Also, it generally was not full there for the band. I'm hoping the Jazz Standard, which is a nicer and friendlier club than the Iridium, away from Times Square, will be an improvement. Quote
ejp626 Posted October 3, 2008 Report Posted October 3, 2008 I miss their first venue--the Fez underneath the Time Cafe--a basement club which was usually packed (the admission price was modest and so there was a younger crowd). The sound was pretty overwhelming there, and the band would often catch fire. The Iridium is a pricey club near Times Square--much of the crowd seemed to be tourists whose tour itinerary included visiting one jazz club and who probably never heard of Mingus. Also, it generally was not full there for the band. I'm hoping the Jazz Standard, which is a nicer and friendlier club than the Iridium, away from Times Square, will be an improvement. I saw them at Fez once, and it was quite good. I am sorry I didn't make it more while I was living in Brooklyn. I've seen them in other settings -- once in the Lincoln Center Plaza (where they weren't all that) and another time in Chicago, when they were very good again. Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted October 3, 2008 Report Posted October 3, 2008 When I went to Fez (Aug 2001)...my second night in NYC...it was Frank Lacy's birthday. They brought him a cake. Just a thrilling event - great music, great musicians in the city most associated with jazz. I'd have stayed for a second set but I wasn't sure how you did that. Quote
ValerieB Posted October 3, 2008 Report Posted October 3, 2008 I miss their first venue--the Fez underneath the Time Cafe--a basement club which was usually packed (the admission price was modest and so there was a younger crowd). The sound was pretty overwhelming there, and the band would often catch fire. The Iridium is a pricey club near Times Square--much of the crowd seemed to be tourists whose tour itinerary included visiting one jazz club and who probably never heard of Mingus. Also, it generally was not full there for the band. I'm hoping the Jazz Standard, which is a nicer and friendlier club than the Iridium, away from Times Square, will be an improvement. i think i read somewhere that the Jazz Standard will not have a cover charge for the Band. Quote
Adam Posted October 3, 2008 Report Posted October 3, 2008 I'm going to see them tomorrow in San Pedro. Need to find some pace to eat before hand. Quote
BFrank Posted October 4, 2008 Report Posted October 4, 2008 I've seen them at Fez and twice at Yoshi's. Always a great performance. I haven't seen them at Iridium, but didn't care for the place the one time I was there. Very glad that they have relocated to Jazz Standard, which is much more "user friendly". Quote
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