Mingus Among Us

There's a muscular confidence -- emphatic rhythmic drive (swing, they call it) -- and they exude class, too. Organized, but not repressed energy. This video clip comes as part of a Blue Note Records release of the same Mingus Quintet performing at Cornell University (Ithaca, New York), the same year. It's an original song, memorable, not forced. Everybody gets a solo -- tenorist Jordan mulls his about, Mr. Byard typically throws a screwball into his final chords, and where does Dolphy's outburst of wacky angularity come from? Mingus and Richmond are unphased, in calm control.

There are contemporary small group equivalents -- bassist Dave Holland (here with trombonist Robin Eubanks, altoist Steve Coleman, trumpeter Kenny Wheeler and drummer Marvin Smitty Smith, from 1986) comes to mind as a leader who assign composed parts and makes them work for his players, setting them free (though who equals Dolphy for breathtaking individuality?); Holland's current sextet plays the the New York Blue Note next week (Aug. 21-26). Henry Threadgill, reeds/winds composer, who hasn't been around much lately (I don't find a worthy video clip). His buddy David Murray (also a Dolphyite, now living in Paris); pianist Myra Melford, who constructs her pieces for variety and dramatic arc (also no good clip yet!), voracious reedsman James Carter, when he has a special project in hand. Marty Ehrlich, a scrupulous saxophonist-clarinetist bandleader . . . Ok, when I think about it, a lot of fine musicians are advancing music that partakes of the clarity of statement and flow-through with shifts that Mingus and company introduced and developed. I've barely scratched the surface of those in his debt.

Just thought you'd like to see & hear some of it -- here's Dolphy playing clarinet with Mingus et al (Johnny Cole is the trumpeter) from Norway. Follow that kinky line!