Mingus Big Band, R. Peterson/G. Allen, R. Rosnes

[Larry Kart]

Just found copies of these, which all seem to be still available in one way or another:

1) Mingus Big Band, "Live in Time" (Dreyfus): Never paid much attention to the MBB, partly because ghost bands usually creep me out, partly because some of Sue Mingus's behavior creeps me out. Well, this 2-CD live set from 1996 is terrific --- a real band full of real players (Gary Bartz, Steve Slagle, Randy Brecker, Ronnie Cuber or Gary Smulyan, John Hicks or Kenny Drew Jr., lead trumpeter Earl Gardner [!], John Stubblefield, etc). And fine work from arranger Sy Johnson, who knows his Mingus (and who of course knew Mingus). Not just the old favorites either -- there's a hellacious "Number 29," "Children's Hour of Dream" from "Epitaph," "Chair in the Sky," etc. Well-recorded too.

2) Ralph Peterson Trio with Geri Allen, "Triangular" (Blue Note): Some of the best/hottest Allen I've heard -- with Essiet Essiet and, on one track, Phil Bowler on bass -- and as fine a recording as I've ever heard of a piano trio, courtesy of Jim Anderson. Exceptional space, clarity, overall realism. I have it on LP -- rec. 1989.

3) Renee Rosnes, "For the Moment" (Blue Note): Also recorded by Anderson, in 1990, and, like the Peterson, produced by the Japanese label Something Else, apparaently in collaboration with Blue Note. Lineup is Joe Henderson (Rosnes's former boss), Steve Wilson, Ira Coleman, and Billy Drummond (Rosnes's spouse). I usually have mixed feelings about these two horn players, but they're in fine, focused form (Anderson does a superb job of capturing Henderson's sound -- not an easy thing to do, I'd bet); Rosnes perhaps sounds more individual at this fairly early stage than she would later on; and the way the horns play the tunes ("Friday the Thirteenth," originals by Woody Shaw and Walt Weiskopf, four by Rosnes, and "Summer Night") speaks of a good deal of well-spent rehearsal time. A gem. CD, rec. 1990.

[king ubu]

I don't know any of these discs, but here's a good word for the Mingus Big Band. They're definitely worth catching live. I heard live broadcasts over the last 10 years and saw them in person once (the late John Stubblefield was still with them but died a few months later). Always plenty of fire and great solo players, too. The band is really soaked by Mingus' spirit, and if Sue talks a minute at the beginning, it isn't all that bad - you forget her the second the band starts playing!

[jazzbo]

I have to agree with you Larry on the two of these I know well; I've never heard the Peterson.

Great stuff, that Rosnes and MBB!

[kh1958]

None of the Mingus Big Band records is as good as a real Mingus record, but on the other hand, all of their recordings are good. If you are in New York on a Tuesday night, they are a must-see in my opinion (though it appears from the meager attendance the last several times I was there, not many locals share that opinion). The group was more exciting in the Fez at the Time Cafe, which was a low-ceilinged basement--the sound was pretty overwhelming, and the band could really catch fire and play extended sets. The crowds were larger, and younger at the Fez, which had a more affordable cover charge. At their current venue, the Iridium, things are a bit more restrained, with much of the crowd being tourists going to a jazz club without knowing who Mingus is, and with set lengths seeming to be controlled by the club. It's still good there, though.

Having seen the group a time or two or three every year since they opened at the Fez (I think it was in 1992), count me in as a big fan.

Edited March 20, 2007 by kh1958

[BFrank]

MBB rocks! I've seen them a couple of times - Fez & Yoshi's. Two very different venues, but smokin' both times. I like the "Live in Time" album a lot. It's not Mingus, but ... he's not around anymore.

[JSngry]

That Peterson thing has been a longtime favorite here. Geri Allen!