Charles Mingus: Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
Track
Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
Artist
Charles Mingus (bass)
CD
Mingus Ah Um (Columbia/Legacy Jazz 065512)
Musicians:
Charles Mingus (bass), John Handy (tenor sax), Booker Ervin (tenor sax), Horace Parlan (piano), Dannie Richmond (drums).
Composed by Charles Mingus
.Recorded: New York, May 12, 1959
Rating: 100/100 (learn more)
Late in life, Lester Young was asked if any of the myriad younger musicians who copied his style had ever thanked him. "No," said the tenor sax giant, "none have." Which makes this tribute all the more poignant, for no jazzman could have been less like Lester than Charles Mingus. Pres was cool, ethereal, pithy and wistful. Mingus was fiery, earthy, caustic and withering. Yet on an album paying homage to such greats as Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker, Mingus also provides this gentle, loving requiem to Lester. Mingus said it for us all. Thank you, Pres.
Reviewer: Alan Kurtz
If you liked this track, also check out
- Joni Mitchell: Goodbye Pork Pie Hat:
- Charles Mingus: Self-Portrait in Three Colors
- Charles Mingus: Original Faubus Fables
Tags: 1950s jazz · goodbye pork pie hat · lester young tribute
One of my top three all-time greatest single jazz tracks, and on any given day, it's #1. For me, it doesn't get any better than this. John Handy's greatest moment on records, IMO.