Peggy’s Blue Skylight – 1972
Charles Mingus
A short-lived version of the Mingus Quintet performs one of his best songs
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After being off the scene during much of 1966-70, bassist-composer Charles Mingus gradually made a successful comeback in the early 1970s.
In 1972 he led a quintet that did not stay together long but was actually one of his finest groups.
Trumpeter Joe Gardner, baritonist Hamiet Bluiett, pianist John Foster, and drummer Roy Brooks joined Mingus at a concert in Barcelona, Spain, performing “Peggy’s Blue Skylight.”
Gardner is fiery, Bluiett displays his huge tone during a wild solo, Brooks drives the band before taking a solo of his own, and John Foster’s fine statement makes one regret that he only had a relatively brief career.
As for Charles Mingus, he is barely seen on this clip but his presence is definitely felt.
-Scott Yanow
Ella Fitzgerald