David Dalle
Thursday February 7th, 2019 with David Dalle
Second of twelve exceptional concert recordings I will be programming in 2019: Mingus at Antibes 1960.

For 2019, I have chosen 12 exceptional concert recordings to program with one each month. I have set a couple of simple rules: the recordings will be played in their entirety and represent a single concert (e.g. a "live" album compiled from different concerts would not qualify) and they must feature multiple pieces (e.g. a stunning live recording of a Mahler symphony would not qualify). These 12 recordings feature some of my favourite artists, and in many of the cases, also represent the very best from these artists. For February, we will hear a fantastic live recording of Charles Mingus playing the jazz festival in Antibes, France in 1960. This concert featured his working band with some of his most frequent collaborators including Ted Curson on trumpet, Eric Dolphy on alto sax and bass clarinet, Booker Ervin on tenor sax, and Dannie Richmond on drums with a guest appearance from Bud Powell, who was living permanently in France then, on one of the pieces. The program features 6 lengthy pieces with 5 compositions from Mingus, all masterpieces of his from the late 50's, an extraordinarily prolific time for Mingus which continues into the 60's. This performance shows the greatness of Mingus as a composer and band leader. The complex, rich textures and joyful interplay of the brass and winds are tremendous, the mood is ecstatic, so easy to listen to again and again!