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I Know What I Know The Music of Charles Mingus

Todd S. Jenkins

Foreword by Sy Johnson

Book Code: C8102

ISBN: 0-275-98102-9

ISBN-13: 978-0-275-98102-0

DOI:

216 pages, n/a

Praeger Publishers

Publication: 6/30/2006

List Price: $49.95 (UK Sterling Price: £27.95)

Availability: In Stock

Media Type: Hardcover

Also Available: Ebook

Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4

Subjects:

Reviews:

As an introduction to Mingus's music, this book is useful.
—Choice February 2007
In this book, Todd Jenkins guides the reader through the large body of Mingus's work, astutely analyzing the music, with well-considered critiques thrown in for good measure. His description is detailed and serves the reader well, going as far as to pinpoint the exact time at which a change in the performance occurs....Jenkins's knowledge and lucid writing style make this book a thorough and entertaining treat.
—Jazz Notes Autumn 2007
[B]rings some fresh insight to Mingus music. I Know What I Know serves as a set of liner notes to his collected recorded output. In doing so, it takes the focus away from colorful Mingus stories, and puts it back where it belongs, on the music.
—J.B. Spins August 2006
Jazz journalist Jenkins adds his voice to the existing volumes on famously hot-tempered late bassist/composer Charles Mingus in this chronologically arranged musical biography. Jenkins' analysis of Mingus' complete recordings is appropriate for a general audience and is framed by the major events in Mingus' career, including: his childhood fixation with Duke Ellington, early work with the bebop masters, the recording of his influential Ah Um, and the Columbia Records censorship of his lyrics attacking segregationist Arkansas governor Orville Faubus. The book includes a foreword by pianist Sy Johnson and a note from widow Sue Mingus lambasting the sale of pirated Mingus material.
—Reference & Research Book News November 2006

Description: From the mid-1940s until his death in 1979, Charles Mingus created an unparalleled body of recorded work, most of which remains available in the 21st century. While there have been several volumes devoted to Mingus's colorful and tumultuous life, this is the first book in the English language to be devoted fully to his music. Jazz fans, as well as musicians and music students who would like a better understanding of Mingus's complex, often difficult music, will discover a complete, chronologically arranged listener's guide to all of his legitimate recordings, from the 78s he recorded in Los Angeles and San Francisco in the mid-1940s, through the legendary albums he made for Columbia, Candid, Atlantic, and his own labels. In the process of providing these in-depth examinations, Jenkins corrects common errors and clears away old misconceptions about certain of his recordings. His approach will illuminate many long-obscured aspects of this imposing and incredibly creative man's contributions to the art of jazz. Touching upon Mingus's many innovations as a jazzman, Know What I Know explores his advancement of the art of bass playing; his assimilations of Ellington and Monk with ideas leaning toward free jazz; his experiments with ensemble dynamics, instrumentation, and extended form; and his working relationships with partners such as Jaki Byard, Eric Dolphy, Jimmy Knepper, and Dannie Richmond. The book provides a broad, informative overview of Mingus's work without veering into technical musical terminology. Readers without an extensive background in music will thus understand and appreciate the analyses provided, and be able to use them to enhance the experience of listening to the brilliant work of this legendary jazz great.

LC Card Number: 2006001241

LCC Class: ML418

Dewey Class: 781


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