Ted Curson - I Heard Mingus (1980) [vinyl>flac]

Here we have rare and dynamic outing by the late great trumpeter Ted Curson. The title certainly informs the casual listener that he indeed spent some time with Charles Mingus. He is best known for his work with Charles Mingus' 1960 quartet (which also included Eric Dolphy, Booker Ervin and Dannie Richmond). An album to appreciate this fertile association is Mingus at Antibes recorded at a live 1960 performance at Juan-les-Pins and released in 1976. For this date Curson teams up with a very solid rhythm section. Mike Richmond really drives the group forward. There is plenty of room for both Ted and McNeely and Kawasaki to solo and develop some most active and energetic exchanges. Indeed the horn players in both Saxton and Morgenstein add to this strong if somewhat more freer performance than would be expected from such a crew. He essentially was an excellent and flexible trumpeter; personally I have always enjoyed Curson’s excursions into freer jazz formats. Pop Wine (1971) and Cattin' Curson (1973) are two such albums where he is joined by the mighty George Arvanitas Trio and Chris Woods. As always Ted can put together a beautiful ballad and a definite highlight is ‘Lost Her’, Enjoy!

Interplay Records, IP-7729, 1980

Recorded on 5^th January, 1980 at Sound Ideas Studios in New York City

Personnel:

Ted Curson - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Percussion, Piccolo Trumpet

Bill Saxton - Tenor Saxophone

Mike Morgenstien - Baritone Saxophone (#A2,B2)

Jim Mcneely - Piano (#A2,B1,B2)

Ryo Kawasaki - Guitar

Mike Richimond - Bass, Electric Bass

Adam Nussbaum - Drums

Montego Joe - Percussion (#A2,B2)

Track Listing:

A1. I Heard Mingus (9:04)

A2. Please, Please, Please Don't Put The Pigsfoot In The Kreplach Soup (9:18)

B1. Lost Her (9:54)

B2. Lin's Garden (7:54)

All Compositions by Ted Curson; joined by Graham Collier on (#B2)

Credits:

Producer - Toshiya Taenaka

Recording Engineer - David Baker

Graphic Design - Nancy Graham

Photos - Kaz Fujita