Mingus Speaks

There are some great interviews with Mr. Mingus here some are abstract and some are direct. Read this in small does to fully absorb the meanings and sometimes arcane thinking. Mingus was a very intelligent and complex individual who was very sensitive and aware of his surroundings and the times in which he lived. This is a great addition to the straight forward biographies on Mingus. If you're a fan of his music, this book is a must. Well edited.

achetre pour les etudes de mon fils que du bonheur a lire ce grand artisteles amateurs de jazz vont se regaler a lire et pratiquer les enseignements de ce maitre du jazz

I usually hate biographies: I don't want to find out that someone whose work I love is an idiot, or worse. But Mingus plays a very special role in my life. It was after seeing him in 1960 I decided to go into music. Even though I am a drummer, Mingus is one of my influences, especially in terms of my conception of rhythm.I have read everything out on him, as well as owning everything he ever did. So when this new book came out, I had to get it.To an old Mingus follower like me there isn't a whole lot that is new. But here we get to hear it all in his inimitable voice, transcribed from interviews with someone he knew and trusted.The book is divide by subject matter: The Avant-garde, Studying and teaching, Recording from the period, Authenticity, reminiscing about other musicians, the music business,, women, and so on.Goodman does a great job of getting Mingus to speak, and Mingus obviously felt comfortable speaking to Goodman.If you are at all interested in Mingus' music, and don't know much else about him, this book is a great introduction. WE see how his music is an extension of himself.In classical music we separate the roles of composer, performer and conductor. But we don't do that as much in jazz, especially with someone like Mingus who composed in ways that reflected his playing, or how his playing reflected how he composed. And both get reflected in how was a bandleader.In his own words, we hear his thoughts on music, on the music business, and on the people around him.A must for all Mingus fans, AND for people interested in these general issues.

Purtroppo questo importante libro su uno dei miti del jazz è in lingua inglese.Ma gli estimatori di Mingus in grado di leggerlo non devono lasciarsi sfuggire queste interviste realizzate negli anni 70 e che rivelano un musicista che ha vissuto molte esperienze con i più importanti nomi del jazz,da Charlie Parker a Duke Ellington a Miles Davis,per citarne solo alcuni. Inoltre rivela molti aspetti della sua vita privata finora poco conosciuti considerando che la letteratura su Mingus non è molto vasta.

The free-rolling interview technique takes some getting used to. So, I got used to it. Indeed, it's essential to bring out the many minds and moods of Mingus. Watch out, because you might recognize part of yourself in there.