Mingus Big Band
The Pocket130 West 46th Street, New York 10036
Mingus Big Band brings its large-ensemble reading of Charles Mingus’s music to The Pocket in Manhattan. The group performs Mingus compositions in big-band arrangements, a format that lets the music’s written detail and improvising space meet on a larger scale. No guest, release, tribute, late set, or personnel is specified for this date.
Founded in New York City by Sue Mingus in 1991, Mingus Big Band is a rotating 14-piece ensemble created to realize the larger band format Charles Mingus wanted but could not always organize during his lifetime. The band has maintained a long-running weekly residency, released twelve recordings, received seven Grammy nominations, and won in 2011 for Live at Jazz Standard. Its musicians have included Randy Brecker, Ronnie Cuber, Donny McCaslin, Orrin Evans, and Jeff “Tain” Watts. NYC Jazz Record called it “one of the hardest-swinging repertory bands in the land,” while The Guardian praised its “power, passion and capricious swing.” The Telegraph described an “unstoppable band,” and London Jazz News noted its “impressive display of interplay and remarkable improvisational talent.”
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.