Charles Mingus (1922-1979) was an American jazz bassist, composer, and bandleader. He is considered one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time and is often regarded as the most influential jazz bassist of the 20th century. Mingus was a virtuoso bassist, an inventive composer, and a fearless bandleader who pushed the boundaries of jazz. He created an intensely personal, highly idiosyncratic style of jazz that fused bebop, blues, gospel, and classical music. His compositions often incorporated elements of free jazz and avant-garde music, and his live performances were renowned for their ferocity, passion, and improvisational daring. He also wrote works for symphony orchestra, ballet, and film, and was an outspoken advocate of civil rights and other progressive causes. His legacy lives on today through his music and his influence on generations of jazz musicians.
| Full Name: | Charles Mingus Jr. |
| Date of Birth: | April 22, 1922 |
| Genres: | Jazz, Bebop, Swing |
| Instruments: | Bass, Piano, Composer |
| Notable Works: | The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady, Mingus Ah Um, Better Git It In Your Soul |
| Awards: | Grammy Hall of Fame Award, ASCAP Jazz Wall of Fame Award |
10 Best Charles Mingus Quotes
“Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.”
– Charles Mingus, from BrainyQuote
“The truth is that what we call music is just a lot of noise. It’s all in the way we arrange it.”
– Charles Mingus, from Good Reads
“My music is best understood by children and animals.”
– Charles Mingus, from Wikiquote
“I am a composer first and a jazz musician second.”
– Charles Mingus, from The Guardian
“Jazz isn’t dead, it just smells funny.”
– Charles Mingus, from AZ Quotes
“Any musician worth his salt has to be able to improvise.”
– Charles Mingus, from AZ Quotes
“The music of today is not the same as it was in the twenties, or thirties, or forties, because it’s been through so many changes in between.”
– Charles Mingus, from AZ Quotes
“I’m on the road so much it’s like a home away from home.”
– Charles Mingus, from AZ Quotes
“I think I’m a social musician. I’m not a virtuoso.”
– Charles Mingus, from Jazz Times
“I’m not a genius, I’m just a hard worker.”
– Charles Mingus, from The Guardian
7 Inspirational Charles Mingus Quotes
“Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.”
– Charles Mingus from GoodReads
“I’m trying to play the truth of what I am. The reason it’s difficult is because I’m changing all the time.”
– Charles Mingus from The Guardian
“An artist’s duty is rather to stay open-minded and in a state where he can receive information and inspiration. You can be sure that it will come to you.”
– Charles Mingus from All About Jazz
“You can’t copy anybody and end with anything. If you copy, it means you’re working without any real feeling. No two people on earth are alike, and it’s got to be that way in music or it isn’t music.”
– Charles Mingus from The Guardian
“I’m only interested in truth… I don’t care who said it, or who wrote it, or what it’s called, or what culture it comes from.”
– Charles Mingus from All About Jazz
“My music is the spiritual expression of what I am – my faith, my knowledge, my being… When you begin to see the possibilities of music, you desire to do something really good for people, to help humanity free itself from its hangups… I want to speak to their souls.”
– Charles Mingus from Jazz Wax
“I want to be remembered as a human being and as a great jazz musician.”
– Charles Mingus from All About Jazz
8 Famous Charles Mingus Quotes
“Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.”
– Charles Mingus, from Brain Pickings
“Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.”
– Charles Mingus, from Brain Pickings
“Any good music must be an innovation”
– Charles Mingus, from The Guardian
“What’s wrong with the world today? Too much compromise, too much mediocrity”
– Charles Mingus, from The Guardian
“I found out that the thing I was most scared of was myself”
– Charles Mingus, from The Guardian
“If you can’t say it in music, don’t say it”
– Charles Mingus, from All About Jazz
“A lot of people don’t understand, or don’t want to understand, that music can also be a form of communication”
– Charles Mingus, from All About Jazz
“Creative music, to me, is something that hasn’t been heard before”
– Charles Mingus, from All About Jazz
5 Charles Mingus Quotes About Love
“Love is one of the greatest powers in the universe. It’s almost as strong as death.”
– Charles Mingus, from All About Jazz
“The only way to make love out of hate is to find out what it is that you truly love.”
– Charles Mingus, from Jazz.com
“Love is the only thing that keeps people together.”
– Charles Mingus, from Jazz.com
“Love is the only thing that keeps people from going insane.”
– Charles Mingus, from Jazz.com
“Love is the only thing that can really make a person happy.”
– Charles Mingus, from Jazz.com
7 Charles Mingus Quotes About Life
“Life is a struggle, not just for a few, but for everyone.”
– Charles Mingus, from All About Jazz
“Life isn’t always what it seems.”
– Charles Mingus, from The Paris Review
“Life is a combination of magic and pasta.”
– Charles Mingus, from The Paris Review
“Life is too short to not take chances and make mistakes.”
– Charles Mingus, from NPR
“Life is too short to have the wrong people around.”
– Charles Mingus, from The Paris Review
“Life is too short to not enjoy it.”
– Charles Mingus, from All About Jazz
“Life is too short to be bitter.”
– Charles Mingus, from All About Jazz
8 Quotes About Charles Mingus
“Mingus was a true genius, a master of composition and performance”
– All About Jazz, from All About Jazz
“He was a real original, not just in jazz but in music in general”
– Jeff Goldblum, from YouTube
“Charles Mingus was a towering figure in the history of jazz”
– The Guardian, from The Guardian
“His music was quite a remarkable mix of jazz and classical elements”
– The New York Times, from The New York Times
“Mingus was one of the most important figures in 20th century American music”
– Biography.com, from Biography.com
“Mingus blended musical styles, he wrote in a way that was very complex and yet very accessible”
– NPR Music, from NPR Music
“He has become the standard by which bassists are judged”
– The Washington Post, from The Washington Post
Interview with Charles Mingus
Frequently Asked Questions About Charles Mingus
1. What are some of the most famous Charles Mingus quotes?
Charles Mingus was an American jazz double bassist, composer, bandleader, and civil rights activist. He was an influential figure in jazz, and his compositions and style were integral to the development of jazz. Mingus was known for his outspokenness and uncompromising attitude, and his quotes reflect his unique outlook and humor. Here are some of the most famous Charles Mingus quotes:
- “Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.”
- “I’m trying to make a point, and the point is, be yourself, be yourself. Don’t be anybody else.”
- “A jazz musician is a juggler who uses harmony instead of oranges.”
- “The most important thing I look for in a musician is whether he knows how to listen.”
- “You don’t make a revolution with silk gloves.”
- “Sometimes terrible things have to happen before you realize how much you loved them.”
- “Writing music is like sculpting. You have to chip away at it until it looks right.”
- “You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.”
2. How did Charles Mingus’s musical style influence the jazz genre?
Charles Mingus was a major influence in the jazz genre. His unique approach to jazz, which combined elements of the blues, bebop, and classical music, had a lasting impact on the genre. Here are some of the ways in which his musical style influenced jazz:
- Mingus was known for his use of extended harmony and complex chord structures, which opened up new possibilities for jazz improvisation.
- His use of a wide range of musical styles, including classical, blues, and folk, allowed him to create a unique sound that was both modern and accessible.
- Mingus was a master of the bass and was able to create a variety of textures and sounds that added a new layer of complexity to jazz.
- He was also a master arranger, and his compositions often featured multiple layers of musical elements that blended together to create a unique soundscape.
- Mingus was also a pioneer in the use of free form improvisation, which allowed jazz musicians to explore new creative directions.
Mingus’s influence on the jazz genre can still be heard today in the music of many jazz artists. His unique approach to jazz was both innovative and timeless, and his influence will continue to be felt in the jazz world for many years to come.
3. What kind of impact did Charles Mingus have on jazz music?
Charles Mingus is considered one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time. His music was a unique blend of bebop, blues, gospel, classical and Latin influences. He was the leader of some of the most important jazz groups of the 1950s and 1960s, and his work was highly regarded by both critics and fans.
Mingus’ work has had a profound impact on jazz music. Here are some of the ways he has influenced the genre:
- He was a pioneer of the ‘Third Stream’ movement, which combined jazz with classical music.
- He was a major influence on jazz bassists, including Stanley Clarke and Jaco Pastorius.
- He was one of the first jazz musicians to experiment with free jazz and avant-garde styles.
- He was an advocate for racial equality and civil rights, which was reflected in his music.
- He was a major influence on jazz fusion, inspiring artists like Herbie Hancock and Weather Report.
- He was one of the first jazz artists to incorporate elements of rock and funk into his music.
Mingus’ influence on jazz music can be heard in the works of countless musicians, from Miles Davis to John Coltrane to Ornette Coleman. His music has had a lasting impact on the genre, and he is remembered as one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time.
4. What are some of Charles Mingus’s famous compositions?
Charles Mingus is considered one of the greatest jazz composers of the 20th century. His musical style was a mix of bebop, modern jazz, blues, and gospel. He was known for his innovative compositions, often featuring complex harmonies and rhythms.
Some of his most famous compositions include:
- “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat”
- “Fables of Faubus”
- “Mingus Ah Um”
- “The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady”
- “Better Git It In Your Soul”
- “Haitian Fight Song”
Mingus was also known for his ability to interpret the works of other jazz composers, often taking a standard tune and completely transforming it into something new and unique. His interpretations of standards like “Autumn Leaves” and “My Funny Valentine” are still acclaimed today.
5. How did Charles Mingus influence other jazz musicians?
Charles Mingus is widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz composers and bassists of all time, and his influence on the genre is undeniable. His unique style, which blended jazz and bebop with classical elements, was highly influential and inspired generations of jazz musicians.
- Mingus fused jazz and bebop with classical music, creating a unique and iconic sound that has inspired generations of jazz musicians.
- Mingus was a master improviser, and his approach to soloing and constructing solos has been a major influence on jazz musicians.
- Mingus’ compositions are considered some of the most complex and challenging in the history of jazz, and many musicians have drawn inspiration from his work.
- Mingus was an innovator in the use of large ensembles, and his big band pieces remain a major influence on the jazz genre.
- Mingus’ approach to harmony and chord progressions has been an inspiration for many jazz composers and arrangers.
Mingus’ influence on jazz music can be heard in the work of a wide variety of musicians, from Miles Davis to Wynton Marsalis. His groundbreaking compositions and unique approach to jazz continue to inspire musicians all over the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Charles Mingus was an iconic figure in the world of jazz music. His contributions to the genre are immeasurable, and his legacy as a groundbreaking musician continues to live on today. His unique brand of music and his powerful quotes have inspired generations of jazz musicians and fans alike. Charles Mingus’ work will continue to resonate with jazz fans for years to come.
