Mingus Big Band
The Pocket130 West 46th Street, New York 10036
Mingus Big Band brings its ongoing Mingus Mondays residency to The Pocket for an evening devoted exclusively to the music of Charles Mingus. Created by Sue Mingus, the 14-piece ensemble performs new arrangements of the composer, bassist and activist’s work, realizing the larger-band format he envisioned but was not always able to assemble during his lifetime. The band’s changing roster draws on established and rising New York musicians, with the arrangements built to leave room for deep exploration, evolving ideas and individual expression.
The group carries forward the principles of Mingus’s Jazz Workshop projects, where composition and player personality could meet in the same piece. Its approach makes the repertoire a living one rather than a museum presentation: structured music, open space and musicians responding in the moment. Mingus Big Band has received seven Grammy nominations, most recently for The Charles Mingus Centennial Sessions in 2022, and won a Grammy in 2011 for Live at Jazz Standard. This date continues a long-running Monday tradition dedicated to one of American jazz’s most forceful and expansive bodies of work.
The Pocket offers a close-up encounter with world-class jazz musicians in a small, focused setting where every note feels immediate and unfiltered. The room is designed to bring listeners near the performers, creating a direct connection that makes the music feel personal and vivid. Seating is limited and arranged to emphasize attentive listening rather than casual socializing, with a bar available to complement the experience. Shows are ticketed, encouraging an audience that is there to fully engage with the performance. The venue’s location in Manhattan places it within easy reach of the city’s vibrant cultural pulse, making it a perfect spot for an evening dedicated to serious jazz appreciation without distractions.