Charlie Mingus Quintet - Chazz (2014)

The Jazz Workshop of 1955 is in superb form, caught in performance at the Caf Bohemia in New York. Max Roach only appears for a "Percussion Discussion" with Mingus, but the forgotten Willie Jones is no slouch either. A typically adventurous set of tunes includes two montages. ("Septemberly" combines "September in the Rain" and "Tenderly", while "All the Things You Can C-Sharp" is a blend of "All the Things You Are," Rachmaninoff's "Prelude in C-Sharp" and "Clair de Lune.") It's a very spirited date, ranking with his best work in the period.

A further disc, Charles Mingus Quintet Plus Max Roach (Fantasy 86009), derives from the same date; these were combined as Prestige P-24010. And the boxed set of the Complete Debut Recordings (Debut 12-CDC-4402-2) includes an additional hour of previously unissued material. ~ Stuart Kremsky

Personnel: Bass – Charlie Mingus; Drums – Max Roach, Willie Jones; Piano – Mal Waldron; Tenor Saxophone – George Barrow; Trombone – Eddie Bert