For me, my all-time favorite Charles Mingus tune is called “Haitian Fight Song.” You will be hard-pressed to find a tune that builds in intensity quite like that one. By the end the music is blasting and the musicians are yelling and, well, you really are ready to go and fight someone, Haitian or otherwise.

Charles was an interesting guy. He was an intimidating looking man. On most of his album covers he never seems to be smiling and he was a very large man. His chosen instrument was the stand-up bass and that takes a bear of a man to play it the way he did.

Not only was he a great writer and player of music, he was a leader. He often put together legendary bands and he was a man with an eye for up and coming talent. Heck, there is still a Charles Mingus Big Band that shows up places like the Chicago Jazz Festival and blows the house down and Charles has been long gone for some time now. It is still a name that brings out the best in people and finds the young talent.

So, for your Monday, relax. Don’t worry so much about work right now or getting the kids off to school or whatever it is that is occupying your mind. Take ten minutes and watch the video below, or just sit back and listen. It’s mellow, and it’s jazz at its best and it’s a great way to start off your Monday…a Mingus Monday.

And just because I mentioned it, here is “Haitian Fight Song.” There’s no real video here, so just listen to it. This should get the blood pumping for you.

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

Not much in the way of details seems to be available at this time. Wednesday would have been his 29th birthday. There was a musical tribute given by his friends and family at The Howell Mill Road Blues Bar where Costello practically set up a second home for himself.

Here is Sean’s MySpace page, where you can still post condolences: http://www.myspace.com/seancostello

Here’s a live performance of this young and dazzlingly talented man. Gone too soon, rest in peace.

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge