Charles Mingus: Triumph of the Underdog

Poster for Charles Mingus: Triumph of the Underdog
MOVIE

Charles Mingus: Triumph of the Underdog

A thorough, poignant profile of jazz legend Charlie Mingus.

Don McGlynn's uncompromising and soulful documentary look at the tumultuous life of musician and rebel Charles Mingus is fascinating stuff. Mingus said of himself "I am half black man, half yellow man, but I claim to be a Negro. I am Charles Mingus, the famed jazz musician--but not famed enough to make a living in America." His statement summed up the conflict that plagued this musical genius his entire life: volatility, pain, prescience, and raw rage roiled inside a complex man, composer, bass player, and trombonist who transcended labels and refused to be pigeonholed into a single musical style--and who did not achieve real fame until late in his career.

Release Date

1997-01-01

Year

1997

Duration

1h 18m

Status

Released

Score

6.00

Production

Cast

Charles Mingus

Charles Mingus

Self (archive footage)

Gunther Schuller

Gunther Schuller

Wynton Marsalis

Wynton Marsalis

No Image

Sue Mingus

No Image

Celia Zaentz

No Image

John Handy

No Image

Britt Woodman

No Image

Jack Walrath

Randy Brecker

Randy Brecker