Charles Mingus – Mingus At Antibes (Speakers Corner) (2xLP)

It can be considered certain that jazz fans of 1960 were not yet familiar with Charles Mingus' LPs "Blues And Roots" and "Mingus Ah-Um" when they flocked to Antibes' Arena Pinede Gould on 13 July. Anyway - as you can see in the short video clip - the hall was fully occupied. Mingus brought along Eric Dolphy and Booker Ervin, both top-class saxophonists. And a solid trumpeter, whose name would later get a good sound in Europe: Ted Curson. For one piece the missing pianist was joined by the legend living in France, the surprise guest Bud Powell.

The Jazz Workshop - as Mingus called his working formation - presented a repertoire with which all musicians were familiar: "Better Git It In Your Soul", "Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting" and Dolphy's wonderful solo on the bass clarinet in "What Love? In addition to that the "Cry For Freedom" as "Prayer For Passive Resistance" was also called and "Folk Forms", also titled "Ummh". Together with the guest they respectfully agreed on the standard "I'll Remember April", in which the audience could celebrate Powell's improvisation in a fitting manner.

Charles Mingus was supposed to play many more concerts in the 60s and 70s, record more than two dozen official LP's, accuse some promoters and tour managers of being predatory blackmailers and crush illegal tape recorders with his foot. But this recording for the ORTF, officially released many years later as a double album on Atlantic and now re-released after many years, is a rare, important contemporary document in music history.

This Speakers Corner production was made using analog master tape and mastering 100% pure analog All licenses and GEMA contributions were paid.