Gunslinging Birds (1995) The late Charles Mingus was second only to Duke Ellington in importance among jazz composers. Although today's hard-hitting Mingus Big Band sometimes substitutes technique for… Mingus Big Band Jazz
EW's GRADE
B+

Details Release Date: Jul 18, 1995; Lead Performance: Mingus Big Band; Genre: Jazz

The late Charles Mingus was second only to Duke Ellington in importance among jazz composers. Although today's hard-hitting Mingus Big Band sometimes substitutes technique for soulfulness, Mingus' spirit pervades Jack Walrath's throbbing arrangement of ''Hog Callin' Blues,'' pianist Kenny Drew Jr.'s playing on ''Jump Monk,'' and trombonist Ku-Umba Frank Lacy's extraordinary free-flight soloing on Gunslinging Birds. B+

Originally posted Aug 11, 1995 Published in issue #287 Aug 11, 1995 Order article reprints