A bigger than life icon, Charles Mingus is considered one of the greatest jazz musicians and composers in history with a career spanning three decades and collaborations with other jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Herbie Hancock.

With jazz music on the wane commercially back in 1974, Atlantic Records decided to release Mingus At Carnegie Hall with just two encore songs featuring guest artists Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Charles McPherson, and John Handy. But lo and behold, discovered among the many rows of tapes at the Warner Vaults, were several analog reels containing 74 minutes of previously unreleased live performances of the Charles Mingus Group featuring Don Pullen, Jon Faddis, George Adams, Hamiet Bluiett and Dannie Richmond at Carnegie Hall on January 19, 1974. After almost 50 years, jazz fans will get the special opportunity to hear the complete concert as it was originally played and in the correct sequence, by this ground-breaking group of musicians.

Originally recorded on January 19, 1974, Mingus At Carnegie Hall was released as a a single LP that only featured 2 long tracks (“C Jam Blues” and “Perdido”) from the concert; one track per LP side, and features Jon Faddis, Charles McPherson, John Handy, George Adams, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Hamiet Bluiett, Don Pullen, and Dannie Richmond. Yet the original concert in January of ‘74 included 2 hours of performances, but nearly 70+ minutes were left on the cutting room floor. With jazz music on the decline in the US in the 1970s, Atlantic Records was probably concerned about releasing a 3LP set at a higher price point that only the most ardent fans would purchase at the time.

Well, after 47 years, Run Out Groove has righted the course of the ship with this deluxe 180g vinyl 3LP reissue which in addition to the bonus performances comes complete with never-before-seen photos taken by original photographer Gal Costa and new liner notes by Jazz historian and producer, Michael Cuscuna. Mastered and lacquered for maximum fidelity and housed in beautiful triple gatefold packaging.

Musicians:

Charles Mingus, bass

Don Pullen, piano

George Adams, tenor saxophone

Jon Faddis, trumpet

Hamiet Bluiett, baritione saxophone

Dannie Richmond, drums

Charles MacPherson, alto saxophone (“Perdido,” “C Jam Blues”)

John Handy, alto saxophone & tenor saxophone (“Perdido,” “C Jam Blues”)

Rahsaan Roland Kirk, tenor saxophone & stritch (“Perdido,” “C Jam Blues”)