Mingus Big Band

The Mingus Big Band performs only works by Charles Mingus, marking his 100th anniversary in 2022. Building on the foundation of Sue Mingus's posthumous Dynasty septet and her 1989 Epitaph orchestra, she established this 14-piece ensemble in 1991 to present fresh arrangements of Mingus compositions in a larger format he envisioned but could not always secure during his life. The flexible structure fosters profound explorations and evolving interpretations of Mingus's music while allowing individual artists room for personal expression. Featuring a rotating roster of established and emerging musicians, the band is highly requested by major festivals and top venues globally. With twelve recorded albumsincluding seven Grammy nominations and one 2011 win with their Live at Jazz Standard recordingthe group has built an impressive discography. Their new album, The Charles Mingus Centennial Sessions, was released in October 2022 and received a Grammy nomination; a second volume is scheduled for release in 2024.