Mingus Big Band 93 - Nostalgia in Times Square (1993)

Full Personnel:
Reeds: Ronnie Cuber, Alex Foster, Craig Handy, Chris Potter, Steve Slagle, Roger Rosenberg, John Stubblefield
Trombones: Art Baron, Sam Burtis, Dave Taylor, Frank Lacy
Trumpets: Randy Brecker, Ryan Kisor, Jack Walrath, Chris Kase
Rhythm: Kenny Drew Jr. (piano), Andy McKee, Mike Formanek (bass), Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums), Joe Locke (vibes)

1. Nostalgia In Times Square
2. Moanin'
3. Self-Portrait In 3 Colors
4. Don't Be Afraid, The Clown's Afraid, Too
5. Duke Ellington's Sound Of Love
6. Mingus Fingers
7. Weird Nightmare
8. Open Letter To Duke
9. Invisible Lady
10. Ecclusiastics

"There have been many attempts to revisit the music of Charles Mingus ever since his death in 1979 (with several of the groups being called Mingus Dynasty), but this is by far the most successful of all the Mingus tribute albums. The 20-piece Mingus Big Band is an all-star unit comprised of mostly younger musicians who have spent several years really studying and getting inside the great bassist's music. The band's debut CD has such spirited soloists as baritonist Ronnie Cuber (who introduces "Nostalgia in Times Square" with a memorable story of his first encounter with Mingus), trumpeters Randy Brecker, Ryan Kisor, and Jack Walrath, trombonists Art Baron, Frank Lacy, and Dave Taylor, altoist Steve Slagle, tenors Chris Potter, Craig Handy, and John Stubblefield, and pianist Kenny Drew, Jr., among others. The ten Mingus compositions are all given memorable treatments, particularly "Moanin'," the witty and somewhat nutty "Don't Be Afraid, the Clown's Afraid Too," and "Weird Nightmare." The new arrangements by Sy Johnson, Jack Walrath, and Ronnie Cuber are quite crowded and very much in the spirit of Mingus. This was one of the top recordings to be released in 1994 and is essential for all serious jazz collections."