The Mingus Big Band celebrates the music of the composer and bassist, Charles Mingus, who died in 1979. Under the artistic direction of Sue Mingus, this 14-piece band has performed Thursday nights since 1991 at the Fez under Time Cafe in New York City, occasionally alternating with the Charles Mingus Orchestra. The Mingus Big Band tours extensively in the United States and abroad, and has six recordings to its credit, three of which have been nominated for Grammys.

Charles Mingus' left behind one of the largest legacies of composition in 20th century American music. At the 1997 Grammy Awards ceremony, he posthumously received NARAS's Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1993, his entire catalog of works-- scores, recording tapes, correspondence, photographs, memorabilia and writings-- were acquired by the Library of Congress. His face appears on a US postage stamp, and his spirit looms over the Mingus Big Band wherever they perform.

'The hippest big band in the universe - robust, earthy, sanctified.' - Time Out New York

The Critics say: Tony Scherman writes in People that the Mingus Big Band is 'a better band than ever today. Live in Time has plenty of meaty, memorable solos. . . but the real star is this world-class band, swinging through Mingus' music with an ease that masks the pieces' difficulty.'

Geoffrey Himes writes that 'the best jazz orchestra in the world bears the name of the Mingus Big Band. . .a remarkable high standard of musicianship, energy and consistency.' The Washington Post

The San Francisco Examiner's Philip Elwood wrote that their 1996 tour was 'the most inspired, exciting ensemble jazz performance I've attended since the New York night I heard a somewhat different Mingus Big Band in the Fez....'

Jon Pareles of The New York Times says the group has 'revived Charles Mingus's repertory and the brawling, muscular, hard-swinging, bluesy way he wanted it played.'

'Mingus's music doesn't merely deserve to be heard; jazz needs it.' The New York Times

'The jazz repertory event of the season. . . [the Big Band] is digging into the repertoire of Charles Mingus, playing old and new arrangements that capture the best parts of the Mingus legacy: the muscle, the affection for history, the willingness to take chances, the guts and soulfulness.' The New York Times