Mingus Big Band - Anchorage

[Ron Thorne]

This isn't a review, per se, just some after-concert reflections on a splendid evening of music.

What a phenomenal experience the Mingus Big Band provided this past Saturday night. Seated to our right was a very enthusiastic young couple celebrating the young man's birthday with Mingus' music. I was impressed by their interest, respect and enthusiasm. Immediately in front of us was a man Patti (my wife) works with at the UAA/APU Consortium Library and his wife, and a few seats to the left in the same row with us was our good friend, bassist Ray Booker. We were in good company in a nearly full house at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts.

Before introducing Sue Mingus, a representative from the Anchorage Concert Association announced that next season will mark the first full dedicated jazz series in the history of the organization. The crowd went wild with applause, naturally.

Sue Mingus came on stage, dressed entirely in black to introduce the band, beginning with the introduction of Musical Director, Craig Handy. First, she commented on how few Alaskans were actually born in Alaska, having discovered that interesting fact the night before in Fairbanks. Then, Sue went on at length about how wonderful our Anchorage Museum of History and Art is, juxtaposing that and other significant cultural and artistic endeavors with what she termed America's current embrace of "generic culture". That observation received immediate applause.

When the band members confidently strolled on stage the place went nuts for several minutes before Craig Handy could even speak and introduce the first piece ... Don't Let It Happen Here. What a magnificent ensemble, filled with extraordinary soloists, but at its core, an ensemble with wonderful unison playing and exquisite use of dynamics. Mingus' signature was immediately detectable in the arrangements of these masterful tunes.

After the 2nd piece finished (can't remember the title) and Craig Handy was deciding what to launch next, an audience member suggested Fables of Faubus. Craig looked at his band mates, said something, then turned to the audience and said, "we don't usually take requests, but we're going to make an exception right now -- we'd like to peform Fables of Faubus for you, as suggested."

Fortunately, some season ticket holders will learn to appreciate a new genre by attending such an event which they otherwise might not consider. Unfortunately, some season ticket holders don't understand the concept of Charles Mingus being not only a revered musician and composer but also an outspoken critic and political activist. When the piece finished, Craig Handy explained the significance of the title (referencing Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus) and the impetus for the composition. He went on to say that if we heard the names Bush and Rumsfeld being uttered in an unflattering way by any band members during that piece, our hearing was probably OK. That's when Bozo #1 in front of us exclaimed "play the music, blah, blah, blah ..." It was all I could do to keep quiet, believe me.

Wham Bam, Thank You, Ma'am took us to intermission. Patti and I had a glass of cabernet awaiting us, and took our wine and this 20 minute opportunity to go downstairs to the mezzanine and introduce ourselves to Sue Mingus who was dutifully signing autographs of her book, Tonight at Noon. We extended greetings from Valerie and Lois which brought a smile to her lips. She then launched into yet another lengthy, excited discussion about our museum and how she wished she had more time and could have stayed there all day. She also mentioned the potential for something in the future telated to Jazz Corner, for which I'll await Lois' further comments. She was very gracious and when asked if she would mind if I took her photograph said she'd be honored.



Sue Mingus - April 30, 2005


The 2nd set opened with Devil Woman, I believe. Trombonist Ku-umba Frank Lacy (also the group's dedicated vocalist) tore it up! What a character. In fact, near the end of the concert, he and pianist Kenny Drew, Jr. began dancing and goofing together near the piano, much to the delight of everyone, including their fellow musicians.

To hear a repertory band such as this with such superb masters as Frank Lacy, Ronnie Cuber, Earl McIntyre and Eddie Henderson, in addition to younger monsters such as trumpeter Ryan Kisor, pianist Kenny Drew, Jr. and saxophonist Jaleel Shaw on the same stage is indeed an rare treat. Also, I could only imagine the tremendous weight which must be on the shoulders of young bassist Boris Koslov as he performs the work of Mingus, and in tonight's performance, on one of Charles Mingus' basses, one with a carved lion's head on the headstock. What an incredible musician! And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how impressed I was by the sensitivity and absolute artistry of drummer Jonathon Blake, who finally got some space for some solo work on Moanin' during the encore.

In between Devil Woman and Moanin' we road the Mingus Musical Rollercoaster on Haitian Fight Song and Cumbia & Jazz Fusion (Another killer vocal insertion from Ku-umba Frank Lacy - Mammy's Little Baby, etc.)before the band and lights faded out to the strains of Better Get Hit In Your Soul.

What an evening. I was thoroughly drained but exhilarated. We went for a cool down cocktail at a local restaurant and listened to a jazz duo before heading home.

"The hippest big band in the universe
- robust, earthy, sanctified."
- Time Out New York

[graypencil]

Wow!

great "non review " Ron!

I'm green with envy and yet very glad you got to hear such a great group!

[Ron Thorne]

Thanks, Phil. It was an amazing night.

Speaking of amazing nights, Patti and I also heard some great live jazz while in California recently, only a few blocks from where our son, daughter-in-law and grandson live. We couldn't resist stopping into The Back Room at Henri's Restaurant to hear the John Hammond Trio w/ bassist Jim Hughart and drummer Ralph Penland. Their guest artist that evening was none other than saxophonist Pete Christlieb, who tore things up all night. I told him that you and I were friends, and he said that he was excited to work on your new recording project in the not-too-distant future. He also offered to send me some of the CDs he's made from some of the recordings he originally had released only on vinyl. Very nice, if slightly off-the-wall cat.

No cover, no minumum, no pressure ... just great live jazz every Friday and Saturday with a very pleasant wait staff at The Back Room. Hey, they may have something with this recipe.

[mke]

When the piece finished, Craig Handy explained the significance of the title (referencing Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus) and the impetus for the composition. He went on to say that if we heard the names Bush and Rumsfeld being uttered in an unflattering way by any band members during that piece, our hearing was probably OK. That's when Bozo #1 in front of us exclaimed "play the music, blah, blah, blah ..." It was all I could do to keep quiet, believe me.

If you make controversial statements from the stage, is the audience not allowed to react other than positively?

[JazzJunkie]

Great reflections, Ron! Thanks! I just started reading Sue's book the other day and I'm anxious for the chat here on JC.

[Gary Sisco]

Ron -- I went to hear Odetta one night, late 80s, in Burlington. Some clown yelled out, "Is this a concert or a political lecture?"

She replied, "It's both."

Thunderous applause followed.

Heckler shut up.

[mke]

Originally Posted by Gary Sisco

Ron -- I went to hear Odetta one night, late 80s, in Burlington. Some clown yelled out, "Is this a concert or a political lecture?"

She replied, "It's both."

Thunderous applause followed.

Heckler shut up.

That's cool, but you shouldn't make a polemical statement from the stage if you're not ready to engage in debate, IMO (I'm making a general point, not directed at Ron or the concert in question).

[Ron Thorne]

Oh, mke, I suspect that Craig Handy and the other 13 cats on-stage would have given this stooge all he could have handled and more had they chosen to engage him. Handy's comments were very brief, not a long monologue. They were taking a little breather after finishing about a 12-14 minute piece. I couldn't help but fantasize about what might have ensued had Mingus been there and heard that comment.

[Valerie]

just want to let you know how much i enjoyed your "review," Ron. you know how "biased" i am about that band! would have gladly jumped on their bus and traveled the rest of the tour with them if i didn't have to pay my rent at home!!

also loved the picture of sue. you got a good shot. and the color is great! and thanks, too, for delivering my message. a friend of mine saw her and the band in san francisco and also delivered a message saying that i wished i were there. sue's comment was delivered tongue-in-cheek, something like, "well, she made our last couple of gigs, so i guess we can forgive her for missing this one."

i've been meaning to get to henri's for ages and you have now reminded me of that. maybe next time you get down here, we can go together!

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Valerie

i've been meaning to get to henri's for ages and you have now reminded me of that. maybe next time you get down here, we can go together!

Patti and I would enjoy that very much, Valerie.

Looks like the Mingus Big Band is back home now with two sets each Tuesday at Iridium (51st & Broadway) in NYC, at 8pm and 10pm. If you haven't heard this band live, you don't know what you're missing. In that more intimate environment the experience should be even more compelling.



"The jazz repertory event of the season . . . [the Big Band] is digging into the repertoire of Charles Mingus, playing old and new arrangements that capture the best parts of the Mingus legacy: the muscle, the affection for history, the willingness to take chances, the guts and soulfulness." The New York Times

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

Patti and I would enjoy that very much, Valerie.

Looks like the Mingus Big Band is back home now with two sets each Tuesday at Iridium (51st & Broadway) in NYC, at 8pm and 10pm. If you haven't heard this band live, you don't know what you're missing. In that more intimate environment the experience should be even more compelling.



"The jazz repertory event of the season . . . [the Big Band] is digging into the repertoire of Charles Mingus, playing old and new arrangements that capture the best parts of the Mingus legacy: the muscle, the affection for history, the willingness to take chances, the guts and soulfulness." The New York Times

if all goes well, ron, i'll be seeing the band again on june 16th at joe's pub!

btw, i told sue about the fabulous picture you took of her and posted here. she wanted to see it but hasn't been able to navigate her way through the internet stuff. like she says, she was born in the wrong decade! do you think you could email her a copy?

i'll look forward to our future hang at henri's!

xoxo

[Steve Reynolds]

I *loved* reading your comments on the show, Ron

you captured the essence of what a great night of music is all about

especially as I know you don't get many opportunities to such music where you live

[Pete C]

Gary, I wonder who that guy thought Odetta was when he bought the ticket.

Ron, Iridium may be a club, but I wouldn't grace it with the word "intimate."

Valerie, you're aware that the Mingus Orchestra at Joe's Pub, while sharing an overlapping cast of musicians with the big band, performs a different repertoire, yes? Joe's Pub IS an intimate venue. The one time I saw the Mingus Orchestra I was disappointed, but Jazzy Mary has a different take.

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by Pete C

Gary, I wonder who that guy thought Odetta was when he bought the ticket.

Ron, Iridium may be a club, but I wouldn't grace it with the word "intimate."

Valerie, you're aware that the Mingus Orchestra at Joe's Pub, while sharing an overlapping cast of musicians with the big band, performs a different repertoire, yes? Joe's Pub IS an intimate venue. The one time I saw the Mingus Orchestra I was disappointed, but Jazzy Mary has a different take.

thanks, pete. i knew that but had actually forgotten it so thanks for the reminder. since i'm only in nyc a few days, i really have to grab what i can get!

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Pete C

Ron, Iridium may be a club, but I wouldn't grace it with the word "intimate."

Thanks for the info, Pete. Having not been to Iridium (or any NYC club for that matter) is why I prefaced the word "intimate" with the word "more", inasmuch as we saw the Mingus Big Band in a concert setting in a fabulous but rather large (2000+ seat) concert hall. Do I detect a less-than-comfortable vibe from you concerning Iridium, or is it just expansive?

Valerie, I'll be happy to send along a copy of the photo to Sue. I would loved to have gotten some shots of the band, but cameras are strictly disallowed in the Atwood Concert Hall. Mine stayed in its case until intermission.

Thanks, Steve. I think you would have dug this performance, too.

[BugsySiegel]

Ron --
Sounds like a GREAT concert! Wish I'd been there ... in fact, I almost felt like I had been there, from reading your non(hah!)-review. And what a great photo you got of Lady Graham.... she is quite the classy lady, that's for sure. I never saw her, but I have a video of the Gunther Schuller-led debut performance of Mingus's "Epitaph", with Lady Sue introducing the program. She was elegant (and, if I remember right, also dressed all in black for that occasion) and she was the picture of class, leaving the emphasis of the evening where it belonged -- with the music, the musicians playing it, and the people who made "Epitaph" come together out of the pieces that Mingus left behind.

Write on, buddy!

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

This isn't a review, per se, just some after-concert reflections on a splendid evening of music.

"The hippest big band in the universe
- robust, earthy, sanctified."
- Time Out New York

[BugsySiegel]

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

Oh, mke, I suspect that Craig Handy and the other 13 cats on-stage would have given this stooge all he could have handled and more had they chosen to engage him. Handy's comments were very brief, not a long monologue. They were taking a little breather after finishing about a 12-14 minute piece. I couldn't help but fantasize about what might have ensued had Mingus been there and heard that comment.

Mingus would have worked the comments into his playing -- he was great for instantly translating the speech of hecklers and others into his solos, in real time, as he played ... there's a great story about one such incident, but I'll have to go digging through my impeccably chaotic library to find the book and the passage -- if I find it, I'll post it here.

[fncll]

I saw them in Fairbanks the night before you did! They put on a great show with a completely different setlist including: Song with Orange (in a new John Stubblefield arrangement), Self Portrait in Three Colors, Eh's Flat and Ah's Flat Too, Paris in Blue, Black Saint and Sinner Lady, Tonight at Noon and a few more I'm not remembering at the moment.

FANTASTIC SHOW.

[jazzy mary]

Originally Posted by Pete C

Gary, I wonder who that guy thought Odetta was when he bought the ticket.

Ron, Iridium may be a club, but I wouldn't grace it with the word "intimate."

Valerie, you're aware that the Mingus Orchestra at Joe's Pub, while sharing an overlapping cast of musicians with the big band, performs a different repertoire, yes? Joe's Pub IS an intimate venue. The one time I saw the Mingus Orchestra I was disappointed, but Jazzy Mary has a different take.

I would say Iridium is intimate in that it is a jazz club and one can sit close to the stage if one wishes. Actually, Val, it was Iridium where we saw Freddie Hubbard the last time you were here and then we hung w/ Curtis Fuller, Freddie, Prof. Cornell West (!) and the fabulous Sheila Anderson. That was fun.

The orchestra is completely different. I only heard it once at City HAll several years ago, but I loved it. I thought it was very beautiful.

[Ron Thorne]

Welcome to Jazz Corner, fricll. There are precious few of us posting from the Land of the Midnight Sun, so please hang around and contribute. Are you at UAF by any chance?

Glad you got to catch the Mingus Big Band on-tour.