Mingus Ah Um

Tonight I finally got Mingus. I listened to his box set a few weeks ago. I loved it, it was great and I truly needed to hear it when I did. And I have loved his stuff for years now - Live at the Town Hall, Tijuana Moods, the Atlantic box set all demand multiple repeat listens. But tonight I had Mingus Ah Um on the way past Edgbaston cricket ground and on the way back. I was heading into the city to see a friend play an acoustic gig. The first half of Ah Um was on, Mingus crying in the background as the band crescendos. On the way back the second half of the album played as I ascended the Russell Rd hill. This guy for me is a beautiful example of humanity, of what we can achieve as humans. As Mingus solos, the drummer goes in to double time. A moment. Capturing notes. I love it and tonight I really really got it.

Charles Mingus, jazz