Undiscovered Charles Mingus tapes set to be released

A new set of undiscovered Charles Mingus tapes will see the light of day for the first time. The recordings of the late bass legend date from 1973 when he had a week-long residency at the Strata Concert Gallery in Detroit – the shows were broadcast live by producer and broadcaster Robert “Bud” Spangler for WDET-FM, but have been lost since then.

The release features the first-known recording of 'Noddin' Ya Head Blues' as well as the track 'Dizzy Profile', with a line-up including drummer Roy Brooks and trumpeter Joe Gardner (both Detroit natives), virtuoso pianist Don Pullen, and the innovative saxophonist John Stubblefield; in fact this is the only known recording of both Stubblefield and Mingus together – he went on to become a key figure in the Mingus Dynasty and Mingus Big Band. 

‘The Lost Tapes: Charles Mingus Live in Detroit’ is out on BBE records from 2 November.