Status Updates From Mingus: A Critical Biography

Part 2 to earlier post for same page number. Listen here to the tune mentioned in post, “Revelations”:

https://youtu.be/vz2GSyovm6w?si=5Doap...

“Mingus takes greater risks than the other composers. The unity of his works depends not on their technical organization… but is largely of an emotional order… “Revelations” extends itself as a succession of moods, feelings, atmospheres, melting into and out of each other. This was something which had not been been widely attempted in jazz.”
– critic Max Harrison

Put aside to finish others first. Now with new year, started over to refresh my memory for the myriad of biographical and musical details. Priestley’s densely packed style will keep my pace and progress slow. Ideal with coffee. Not ideal for bedtime reading.

The first 6 pages were as great as the Intro. And as I did when reading a wonderful bio on Joni Mitchell, I’m listening to Mingus now even more than usual and hearing his early life influence of the Holiness movement mentioned so soon in this exciting bio.

Just received for birthday and juggling it in. In Publisher’s description reprinted as Goodreads’, this last line stands out and compels me to push through some initial density. Reportedly, it is “what can be called, again without exaggeration, the best biography of a jazz musician we have ever seen.” Wow. Sounds like a must read worth pushing into for sure!

Just read about how much Mingus loved the playing of the late Detroit legend, Marcus Belgrave... For anyone interested, here's the link to a Facebook post I made when he passed away last year (https://www.facebook.com/DimestoreLia...)...