Charles Mingus
April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979
Charles Mingus was a universally respected composer, bandleader and pioneering jazz bassists. Though hard to categorize, Mingus’ music drew heavily from hard bop and free jazz. As a composer, Mingus knew few equals, with many compositions considered too difficult to play by even the best of players. Throughout his career, Mingus played with the likes of Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Bud Powell. Mingus was extraordinarily prolific, with one decade beginning during the ’60s seeing over 30 new albums alone. During his later years, Mingus suffered from Lou Gehrig’s disease, forcing him to give up playing the bass. On January 5, 1979, Charles Mingus died of Lou Gehrig’s disease at the age of 56.
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