Charles Mingus: The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (LP)

In January 1963, bassist and composer Charles Mingus recorded a highly personal and socially conscious work he called "The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady." Each composition, from the opener "Solo Dancer" to the closing "Group And Solo Dance," was a musical expression of Mingus' philosophy related to life, love and his environment. For the legendary bassist, this recording was so personal that he asked his friend, clinical psychologist Dr. Pollack, to review it. As Dr. Pollack writes in the liner notes, "Psychologists interpret behavior ... why not apply that skill to music." Dr. Pollack did just that, interpreting the message underlying this music by Mingus - music that speaks of the artist's longing for love, peace, and freedom. For Charlie Mingus and the musicians who accompanied him, namely Charlie Mariano (soprano saxophone), Jake Byard (piano), Jay Berliner (guitar) , Don Butterfield (tuba), Dick Hafer (tenor saxophone and flute), and Quentin Jackson (trombone), "The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady" was much more than just another album, it was a jazz ballet, performed by a small ensemble. It has become a standard-setting event The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady has long been considered Charles Mingus' masterpiece and represents a pinnacle of both jazz composition and orchestration. Essential to the history of jazz, this work was performed as a ballet and includes original liner notes by Mingus' psychotherapist. It's an intense, totally distinctive mix of big-band jazz, folk and Ellington influences featuring Rolf Ericson and Richard Willians (trumpets), Quentin Jackson (trombone), Don Butterfield (tuba), Jerome Richardson (baritone and flute), Dick Hafer (saxophone and flute), Charlie Mariano (alto saxophone), Jaki Byard (piano), Jay Berliner (guitar) and Dannie Richmond (drums) Verve's Acoustic Sounds Series features transfers from analog tapes and remastered 180-gram vinyl in luxurious gatefold packaging.