Charles Mingus: Triumph of the Underdog

The read

It runs a compact 1h 18m.

Synopsis

Don McGlynn's uncompromising and soulful documentary look at the tumultuous life of musician and rebel Charles Mingus is fascinating stuff. Mingus said of himself "I am half black man, half yellow man, but I claim to be a Negro. I am Charles Mingus, the famed jazz musician--but not famed enough to make a living in America." His statement summed up the conflict that plagued this musical genius his entire life: volatility, pain, prescience, and raw rage roiled inside a complex man, composer, bass player, and trombonist who transcended labels and refused to be pigeonholed into a single musical style--and who did not achieve real fame until late in his career.

Ratings

Key crew

• Don McGlynnDirector

Cast

• Charles MingusSelf (archive footage)
• Gunther SchullerSelf
• Wynton MarsalisSelf
• Sue MingusSelf
• Celia ZaentzSelf
• John HandySelf
• Britt WoodmanSelf
• Jack WalrathSelf
• Randy BreckerSelf