CLOWN (SPA)

Limited audiophile 180 gm vinyl LP pressing. By the mid '50s Charles Mingus had formed his own publishing and recording companies to protect and document his growing repertoire of original music. He also founded the Jazz Workshop, a group which enabled young composers to have their new works performed in concert and on recordings. On THE CLOWN, instead of just writing heads that provide launch points for solos, Mingus tries to evoke something specific with every tune, and even his most impressionistic forays have a strong storytelling quality. The title selection makes that explicit with a story verbally improvised by Jean Shepherd from a predetermined narrative. THE CLOWN introduced two of Mingus' finest compositions: 'Haitian Fight Song' and 'Reincarnation of a Lovebird', a tribute to Charlie Parker. Mingus would play both tunes many times throughout his career. In addition to his role as composer and arranger, Mingus is heard on this album as a marvelous soloist, taking longer solos than on previous recordings.