Mingus, Charles (1922–1979)

US jazz bassist, pianist, and composer. He played with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Charlie Parker. His experimentation with atonality and dissonant effects opened the way for the new style of free collective jazz improvisation of the 1960s.

Based on the West Coast until 1951, Mingus took part in the development of cool jazz. Later based in New York, he worked with a number of important musicians and expanded the scope of the bass as a lead instrument. Recordings include Pithecanthropus Erectus (1956) and Mingus at Monterey (1964).

His hit ‘Goodbye, Porkpie Hat’ was covered by several other artists.