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Charles Mingus: Triumph of the Underdog is the first comprehensive documentary about the jazz bassist, bandleader and composer who led a life filled with tumult, joy and frustration.
Mingus was never allowed the luxury of feeling he belonged. His mixed ancestry of Chinese, Swedish, and African-American made him not light enough to be considered white nor dark enough to fit into the black community. He was an outcast in American society who charted his own path. So much so that his legacy far exceeds beyond conventional jazz idioms.
Simultaneously radical yet deeply traditional, Mingus' music took elements from everything he had experienced - from gospel and blues through New Orleans jazz, swing, bop, Latin music, modern classical music, even the jazz avant-garde. His touchstone was Duke Ellington but having apprenticed with Duke, amongst others such as Lionel Hampton and Charlie Parker, he soon went out on his own and became a musical force for more than a decade. Interest in his music waned in the mid 60's, when the rock era was at its height and shortly after Mingus was institutionalized due to psychological problems.
Upon his return he experienced renewed success but unfortunately died in January 1979.
Nine years in the making, this documentary has been exhaustively researched and virtually everything used in the film is extraordinarily rare. It is a complete portrait that shows the many faces and tortured heart of a musical genius.
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Genre
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Year
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Running Time
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Format
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Region Coding
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Documentary
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1998
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77:53
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576i (PAL)
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1 2 3 4 5 6
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Extras
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