Charles Mingus - Jazz Portraits: Mingus In Wonderland (1959)

A fresh, breezy and swinging live set from January 1959, captured as part of a series of 'Jazz Portraits' concerts at the Nonagon Art Gallery, NYC.  The resulting LP went through numerous album covers and permutations of the title, with this version opting for both 'Jazz Portraits' and 'Mingus In Wonderland'.

With John Handy on alto, Booker Ervin on tenor, Richard Wyands on piano and Dannie Richmond on piano, Mingus underpins the group in his usual formidable style through three originals and one bit of classic Gershwin.  The two tracks that bookend the album - the cityscape blues of Nostalgia In Times Square and the gorgeous Alice's Wonderland - were written for John Cassavetes' debut feature Shadows, but most of Mingus' music was apparently cut from the final version.  In between are a lovely take on I Can't Get Started and a spectacular blues rave-up, No Private Income Blues.  Enjoy the sound of Mingus kicking off one of the most golden years of his career in style.

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Previously posted at SGTG:  
Oh Yeah  
The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady  
Mingus Plays Piano  
Let My Children Hear Music
Changes One & Two
Cumbia & Jazz Fusion
plus:  
Blue Moods  
Money Jungle  
BBC Proms Tribute by Metropole Orkest