The music of legendary composer and bassist Charles Mingus will come alive on the New Haven Green when the Mingus Big Band kicks off the 16th annual New Haven Jazz Festival on Saturday, July 13. The event, sponsored by the City of New Haven's Office of Cultural Affairs, is one of three concerts in this year's festival.
The Mingus Big Band is devoted to the vast repertoire that the late composer left behind when he died in 1979; the 14-member band is now overseen by his widow, Sue Mingus. The musicians perform special arrangements by band members Steve Slagle, Ronnie Cuber and Jack Walrath, as well as music Mingus composed with his frequent collaborator Sy Johnson. The band has two recordings out: "Nostalgia in Times Square" and "Gunslinging Birds," which was nominated for a 1996 Grammy Award for "Best Large Ensemble Jazz Recording."
Yale's Office of New Haven Affairs will sponsor "An Evening of Contemporary Jazz" on Saturday, July 20. Featured performers are guitarist Rohn Lawrence and saxophonist Walter Beasley. Mr. Lawrence, a native of New Haven, will open the concert with songs from his first album "Hangin' on a String" and his soon-to-be-released album "C' Ya Around." Mr. Beasley, whose hit song "Diane" was heard on the soap opera "All My Children" will also perform.
The free concerts will begin at 6 p.m. on the main stage of the lower Green (between Church and Temple streets). The third show will feature Latin jazz bands Jerry Gonzalez & the Fort Apache Band and Espada on July 27. For further information about the festival, call the New Haven Office of Cultural Affairs at 946-7821.