Charles Mingus

Charles Mingus (April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979) was an American jazz bassist, composer, bandleader, and occasional pianist. He is also known for his activism against racial segregation. Mingus's legacy is notable: he is genera

Charles Mingus (April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979) was an American jazz bassist, composer, bandleader, and occasional pianist. He is also known for his activism against racial segregation. Mingus's legacy is notable: he is generally ranked among the finest jazz composers and performers ever. Many Mingus albums are easily available; most are highly regarded. Dozens of musicians passed through his bands and later went on to impressive careers. His songs – though melodic and distinctive – are not often recorded by later musicians, due in part to their challenging nature. Mingus was also influential and creative as a bandleader, recruiting talented and sometimes little-known artists whom he assembled into unconventional and revealing configurations.

The musician is nearly as well known for his volatile temperament as for his ambitious music. His refusal to compromise his musical integrity led to many onstage explosions, though it has been argued that his temper grew also from his desire to vent frustration. Ironically, a perfect show could irritate him by closing this outlet. Mingus was prone to depression (possibly manic depression). He tended to have brief periods of extreme creative activity, intermixed with fairly long periods of greatly decreased output.