“Mingus is more than a major jazz talent: He is a creative force, a creative power which, without benefit of outside musical sources, resides securely in the jazz mainstream and has the capacity to propel a total conception of jazz which is greater than merely the sum of its parts (and individuals). As such, Mingus’ music looms large today as not only one of the few genuine links to past traditions, especially that of Duke Ellington, but also as a significant intimation of things to come.” – Gunther Schuller, from his liner notes for Tonight At Noon by Charles Mingus (Atlantic LP 1416).