Nostalgia in Times Square by Mingus Big Band (CD, Oct-1993, Dreyfus Records (France))

Album Features
UPC:	764911655925
Artist:	Mingus Big Band
Format:	CD
Release Year:	1993
Record Label:	Dreyfus Records (France)
Genre:	Jazz General

Track Listing
1. Nostalgia in Times Square
2. Moanin'
3. Self-Portrait in Three Colors
4. Don't Be Afraid, The Clown's Afraid, Too
5. Duke Ellington's Sound of Love
6. Mingus Fingers
7. Weird Nightmare
8. Open Letter to Duke
9. Invisible Lady
10. Ecclusiastics

Details
Playing Time:	77 min.
Contributing Artists:	Randy Brecker, Marvin Smith, Craig Handy, Lew Soloff, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Ronnie Cuber, Jack Walrath, Sy Johnson
Producer:	Sue Mingus, Yves Chamberland
Distributor:	E1 Distribution (USA)
Recording Type:	Studio
Recording Mode:	Stereo
SPAR Code:	ADD

Album Notes
Mingus Big Band '93: Ronnie Cuber (narration, baritone saxophone); Alex Foster, Steve Slagle (alto saxophone); John Stubblefield, Craig Handy, Chris Potter (tenor saxophone); Roger Rosenberg (baritone saxophone); Randy Brecker, Ryan Kisor, Chris Kase, Lew Soloff, Jack Walrath (trumpet); Art Baron, Sam Burtis, Ku-umba Frank Lacy (trombone); Dave Taylor (trombone & bass trombones); Joe Locke (vibraphone); Kenny Drew, Jr. (piano); Andy McKee, Mike Formanek (bass); Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Victor Jones (drums); Ray Mantilla (congas).Recorded at Clinton Recording Studios, New York City on March 1-2, 1993. Includes liner notes by Gene Santoro and Sue Mingus.Personnel: Craig Handy, John Stubblefield, Alex Foster , Roger Rosenberg, Ronnie Cuber, Steve Slagle (reeds); Chris Kase, Jack Walrath, Lew Soloff, Randy Brecker, Ryan Kisor (trumpet); Art Baron (trombone, bass trombone); Frank Lacy, Sam Burtis (trombone); Kenny Drew, Jr. (piano); Joe Locke (vibraphone); Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Victor Jones (drums); Ray Mantilla (congas).Audio Mixer: Ed Rak.Liner Note Author: Sue Mingus.Recording information: Clinton Recording Studios (03/01/1993-03/02/1993).Photographer: Jimmy Katz.There have been many attempts to revisit the music of Charles Mingus ever since his death in 1979 (with several of the groups being called Mingus Dynasty), but this is by far the most successful of all the Mingus tribute albums. The 20-piece Mingus Big Band is an all-star unit comprised of mostly younger musicians who have spent several years really studying and getting inside the great bassist's music. The band's debut CD has such spirited soloists as baritonist Ronnie Cuber (who introduces "Nostalgia in Times Square" with a memorable story of his first encounter with Mingus), trumpeters Randy Brecker, Ryan Kisor, and Jack Walrath, trombonists Art Baron, Frank Lacy, and Dave Taylor, altoist Steve Slagle, tenors Chris Potter, Craig Handy, and John Stubblefield, and pianist Kenny Drew, Jr., among others. The ten Mingus compositions are all given memorable treatments, particularly "Moanin'," the witty and somewhat nutty "Don't Be Afraid, the Clown's Afraid Too," and "Weird Nightmare." The new arrangements by Sy Johnson, Jack Walrath, and Ronnie Cuber are quite crowded and very much in the spirit of Mingus. This was one of the top recordings to be released in 1994 and is essential for all serious jazz collections. ~ Scott Yanow