“Among the giants of jazz, composer, bandleader, and string bass player Charles Mingus ranged the fur­thest stylistically. While focusing on bop, especially hard bop, his performances explored all of the other main currents in jazz – the New Orleans style, swing, free jazz, and fusion – and other genres as well – blues, rhythm & blues, boogie woogie, and gospel music.” – From The Blackwell Guide to Recorded Jazz, edited by Barry Kernfeld (1992)