Charles Mingus – The Clown – 1957 – Post-Bop / Avant-Garde Jazz
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Charles Mingus – The Clown – 1957 – Post-Bop / Avant-Garde Jazz Atlantic 1260 | Vinyl – U.S. Release
Tracklist
Side A
Haitian Fight Song – Blue Cee
Side B
Reincarnation of a Lovebird – The Clown (narration improvised by Jean Shepherd)
Originally recorded on February 13, 1957, The Clown is one of Charles Mingus’s most daring and theatrical albums, blending powerful compositions with spoken-word improvisation. The album features the Charles Mingus Jazz Workshop, including Curtis Porter (Shafi Hadi) on saxophones, Jimmy Knepper on trombone, Wade Legge on piano, and Dannie Richmond on drums.
“Haitian Fight Song” opens with a thunderous bass solo and builds into a cathartic ensemble performance. “Blue Cee” offers a bluesy, swinging contrast. On Side B, “Reincarnation of a Lovebird” is a tribute to Charlie Parker, rich in emotional depth. The title track “The Clown” features Jean Shepherd’s improvised narration over Mingus’s composition, creating a haunting and satirical commentary on performance and identity.
Produced by Nesuhi Ertegun and engineered by Tom Dowd, the U.S. mono pressing was issued on Atlantic’s “white fan” label and remains a collector’s favorite for its bold experimentation and emotional intensity.
Condition 10 of 10
Jacket ✅ 9 very very light wear / name on the back cover
Vinyl ✅perfect 10
Labels ✅10
Listing # ✅ R68