Our perennially popular “Mingus Monday” series continues tonight with two fiery sets by the GRAMMY Award–winning Mingus Big Band, celebrating the life and music of Charles Mingus (1922–1979). “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)