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The correct answer is Charles Mingus!

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photo by Tom Marcello Webster, New York, a derivative work: Emdee, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Charles Mingus, 1976

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…..Charles Mingus was a towering figure in jazz, as a bassist, pianist, composer, and bandleader.

…..Early in his career, in 1942, he played in clarinetist and Duke Ellington alum Barney Bigard’s band alongside the legendary trombonist Kid Ory, which was his first professional job.   After mid-to-late 1940’s stints with the likes of Louis Armstrong and Lionel Hampton, in the early 1950’s he began attracting notice as a bassist in the trio led by the vibraphonist Red Norvo that also included the guitarist Tal Farlow.

…..At the end of his career, after having been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a.k.a. “Lou Gehrig’s disease), he was unable to play the bass but remained active, leading recording sessions and, most notably, collaborating in 1978 with Joni Mitchell on an album dedicated to his compositions – which Joni wrote lyrics to.

…..Mingus died in January of 1979.

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Click here to read a concise biography by Richard S. Ginell on All Music.

Click here to visit Mingus’ Wikipedia page.

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Listen to the 1951 recording of the Red Norvo Trio (Norvo, Mingus, Farlow) playing Cole Porter’s “I Get a Kick Out of You”  [Universal Music Group]

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Listen to the 1978 recording of Joni Mitchell performing Mingus’ composition “Goodbye Porkpie Hat,” with Herbie Hancock (piano); Jaco Pastorius (bass); Wayne Shorter (saxophone); Don Alias (congas and drums); Emil Richards (percussion); Peter Erskine (drums). [Rhino/Elektra]

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Click here to play another Jazz History Quiz

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