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Artist profile · 04/07/2026

Charles Mingus

NogalesBorn in 1922Bandes originales (Films séries jeux…)20 vinyl albums
Charles Mingus, born in 1922 in Arizona, was an American jazz bassist and composer known for crossing bebop, hard bop, and free jazz. He remains a vital figure with a catalog reflecting rich musical explorations from the 1950s through the 1970s.
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About

Over 40 vinyl records available; original 1959 ‘Mingus Ah Um’ mono LP priced around €87.

Charles Mingus contributed to jazz as a virtuoso double bassist, skilled composer, and bandleader. His works span many styles including hard bop, post-bop, and avant-garde jazz, often featuring social commentary and advanced musical techniques. Mingus collaborated with legends like Duke Ellington, Max Roach, and Eric Dolphy, influencing several generations.

His vinyl discography includes landmark albums such as 'Mingus Ah Um' (1959), originally issued by Columbia, and live recordings like 'Live In Paris 1964 Vol. 2'. Collectors track various pressings, including original US mono versions and European reissues. Prices fluctuate based on pressing rarity, condition, and provenance, with some rare copies exceeding €85.

Discography

Charles Mingus discography

Studio albums, live records, compilations and radio recordings. Each album groups all its editions.

The Charles Mingus Quintet + Max Roach

The Charles Mingus Quintet + Max Roach

Charles Mingus

1955Live
  • Vinyl 4
  • CD 3
  • Cassette
Jazz Composers Workshop

Jazz Composers Workshop

Charles Mingus

1956Studio
  • Vinyl 4
  • CD 2
  • Cassette
Pre-Bird

Pre-Bird

Charles Mingus

1961Studio
  • Vinyl 4
  • CD 2
  • Cassette 1
Town Hall Concert

Town Hall Concert

Charles Mingus

1962Live
  • Vinyl
  • CD
  • Cassette
Reincarnation of a Love Bird

Reincarnation of a Love Bird

Charles Mingus

1963Studio
  • Vinyl 2
  • CD 2
  • Cassette
Mingus Plays Piano

Mingus Plays Piano

Charles Mingus

1964Studio
  • Vinyl 2
  • CD 4
  • Cassette 1
Town Hall Concert

Town Hall Concert

Charles Mingus

1964Live
  • Vinyl 3
  • CD 3
  • Cassette 1
Right Now: Live at the Jazz Workshop

Right Now: Live at the Jazz Workshop

Charles Mingus

1966Live
  • Vinyl 4
  • CD 2
  • Cassette 1
Blue Bird

Blue Bird

Charles Mingus

1971Studio
  • Vinyl
  • CD
  • Cassette
Let My Children Hear Music

Let My Children Hear Music

Charles Mingus

1972Studio
  • Vinyl 3
  • CD 2
  • Cassette 2
The Great Concert of Charles Mingus

The Great Concert of Charles Mingus

Charles Mingus

1972Live
  • Vinyl 3
  • CD 3
  • Cassette 1
Charles Mingus and Friends

Charles Mingus and Friends

Charles Mingus

1973Live
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 3
  • Cassette
Mingus Moves

Mingus Moves

Charles Mingus

1974Studio
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 3
  • Cassette 1
Changes One

Changes One

Charles Mingus

1975Studio
  • Vinyl 2
  • CD 3
  • Cassette
Changes Two

Changes Two

Charles Mingus

1975Studio
  • Vinyl 2
  • CD 3
  • Cassette
Mingus at Antibes

Mingus at Antibes

Charles Mingus

1976Live
  • Vinyl 3
  • CD 3
  • Cassette 1
Three or Four Shades of Blues

Three or Four Shades of Blues

Charles Mingus

1977Studio
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 2
  • Cassette 1
Cumbia & Jazz Fusion

Cumbia & Jazz Fusion

Charles Mingus

1978Studio
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 3
  • Cassette 1
Me, Myself an Eye

Me, Myself an Eye

Charles Mingus

1979Studio
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 2
  • Cassette
Something Like a Bird

Something Like a Bird

Charles Mingus

1980Studio
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 1
  • Cassette 1
Mingus in Europe

Mingus in Europe

Charles Mingus

1981Live
  • Vinyl 2
  • CD 4
  • Cassette 1
1964-04-17: Revenge!, Salle Wagram, Paris, France

1964-04-17: Revenge!, Salle Wagram, Paris, France

Charles Mingus

1987Live
  • Vinyl 2
  • CD 2
  • Cassette
1964-04-10: "Concertgebouw", Amsterdam, Netherlands

1964-04-10: "Concertgebouw", Amsterdam, Netherlands

Charles Mingus

1988Live
  • Vinyl
  • CD
  • Cassette
1970-10-28: Theatre National Populaire du Palais de Chaillot, Paris, France

1970-10-28: Theatre National Populaire du Palais de Chaillot, Paris, France

Charles Mingus

1988Live
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 2
  • Cassette
Epitaph

Epitaph

Charles Mingus

1990Live
  • Vinyl
  • CD 1
  • Cassette 1
This Is Jazz 6

This Is Jazz 6

Charles Mingus

1996Compilation
  • Vinyl
  • CD 2
  • Cassette 1
Live in Stuttgart ! 1964

Live in Stuttgart ! 1964

Charles Mingus

2000Live
  • Vinyl
  • CD 1
  • Cassette
Music Written for Monterey 1965 Not Heard… Played in Its Entirety at UCLA

Music Written for Monterey 1965 Not Heard… Played in Its Entirety at UCLA

Charles Mingus

2006Live
  • Vinyl 2
  • CD 2
  • Cassette
“Statement”

“Statement”

Charles Mingus

2014Live
  • Vinyl 1
  • CD 1
  • Cassette 1
Charles Mingus @ Bremen 1964 & 1975

Charles Mingus @ Bremen 1964 & 1975

Charles Mingus

2020Live
  • Vinyl
  • CD 1
  • Cassette
Lullabye of the Leaves

Lullabye of the Leaves

Charles Mingus

Studio
  • Vinyl
  • CD
  • Cassette

Data provided by Discogs

Listen

Signature songs

  1. 01Goodbye Pork Pie HatMingus Ah Um · 1959
  2. 02Better Git It in Your SoulMingus Ah Um · 1959
  3. 03Boogie Stop ShuffleMingus Ah Um · 1959
  4. 04Fables of FaubusMingus Ah Um · 1959
  5. 05Self-Portrait in Three ColorsMingus Ah Um · 1959
  6. 06Open Letter to DukeMingus Ah Um · 1959
  7. 07Moanin'
  8. 08Jelly RollMingus Ah Um · 1959

Essentials

3 Charles Mingus albums you need to own

Our picks, approved by the editors.

  1. #1 · 1959
    LP, Album, Mono

    Mingus Ah Um

    This album defines Mingus's enduring legacy in jazz composition and bass playing with tracks like 'Goodbye Pork Pie Hat' and 'Fables of Faubus'. Collector editions command premium vinyl prices.

    9 tracksMono pressingColumbia labelVintage 1959 US pressing
    Discover the album
  2. #2 · 1959
    LP, Album, Mono

    Jazz Portraits

    A compact album of four extended tracks featuring Mingus's flair for narrative jazz and lyrical improvisation, recorded on United Artists Records.

    4 tracksMono formatUnited Artists RecordsPromo version available
    Discover the album
  3. #3 · 2017
    Vinyl

    At the Bohemia

    Live recordings capturing Mingus’s group in 1956 at Café Bohemia, New York City, demonstrating his commanding live presence and ensemble dynamics.

    Recorded 1956Live sessionCafé Bohemia NYCIntermusic label reissue
    Discover the album

Go further

Artists similar to Charles Mingus

Artists who share part of Charles Mingus's musical DNA.

Miles Davis
Miles Davis
John Coltrane
John Coltrane
Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Monk
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
Eric Dolphy
Eric Dolphy
Wayne Shorter
Wayne Shorter
McCoy Tyner
McCoy Tyner
Sonny Rollins
Sonny Rollins

B-side

B-side: the hidden stories of Charles Mingus

Studio secrets, tour stories and B-sides worth the whole album.

01Studio

Recording of 'Mingus Ah Um' in 1959

Mingus recorded 'Mingus Ah Um' in 1959 for Columbia Records in mono format; the original US pressing catalog number CL 1370 is highly sought by collectors.

1959United States
02Live Concert

Live in Paris 1964 Vol. 2 LP

The 1988 LP 'Live In Paris 1964 Vol. 2' on France’s Concert label features extended live performances including 'So Long Eric' and 'Parkeriana', capturing Mingus’s post-bop intensity in France.

1988France
03Reissue

New Tijuana Moods 1986 Remastered Album

'New Tijuana Moods' was reissued in 1986 with remastered sound on Bluebird, including alternate takes like 'Dizzy Moods' and 'Ysabel’s Table Dance', important post-bop sessions.

1986United States
"Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" remains one of Mingus's most covered compositions, blending emotional depth with intricate jazz phrasing.
— Jazz Enthusiasts
05Label

Atlantic’s 1970s Studio Recordings Box Set

The 8 LP box set for the complete 1970s Atlantic studio recordings on Charles Mingus presents a broad overview of his free jazz explorations during that decade with high audio fidelity editions.

2023United States

Charles Mingus vinyl discography

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Charles Mingus CDs

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Recommended accessories

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FAQ

FAQ

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

What styles of jazz did Charles Mingus play?

Mingus's work spans bebop, hard bop, post-bop, free jazz, and blues, featuring complex compositions and expressive bass performances.

Which Charles Mingus vinyl is most valuable?

The original 1959 mono pressing of 'Mingus Ah Um' on Columbia Records is highly prized by collectors and commands prices around €87 or more.

Are there live Charles Mingus vinyl recordings from France?

Yes, 'Live In Paris 1964 Vol. 2' is a notable vinyl live album recorded in France, showcasing extended dynamic performances.

Where was Charles Mingus born and when?

Charles Mingus was born in 1922 in Nogales, Arizona, United States.

Did Mingus work with other famous jazz artists?

Mingus collaborated with Eric Dolphy, Duke Ellington, Max Roach, John Coltrane, and others, influencing numerous jazz musicians.

How many tracks are on the 'Jazz Portraits' vinyl album?

'Jazz Portraits' includes 4 tracks with lengthy compositions, emphasizing Mingus’s narrative and improvisational style.

Is 'Mingus Ah Um' available in colored vinyl editions?

Yes, some versions of 'Mingus Ah Um' exist on blue vinyl and 180g audiophile pressings, adding collector interest.

Can I find Charles Mingus vinyl records in French stores?

Vinyl pressings like 'Paris, TNP October 28th 1970' and reissues by various labels are available and tracked for sale in France.

Transparency

Sources & method

This profile is compiled by the vinyles.com editors from public sources and our marketplace.

  • WP
    Wikipedia
    Encyclopaedic data and biography
  • MB
    MusicBrainz
    Artist metadata, dates, type
  • DG
    Discogs
    Discography, pressings and market prices
  • LF
    Last.fm
    Listeners, plays, similar artists
  • VC
    Vinyles.com
    In-house catalog, prices and availability

Our method

  1. Discography data from MusicBrainz (dates, country, active years).
  2. Tracklists, covers and genres from Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists from Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editors.
Last updated: 04/07/2026