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Myself When I Am Real: The Life and Music of Charles Mingus

Tags: #music #jazz #biography #history #culture #race #creativity

Authors: Gene Santoro

Overview

My book, Myself When I Am Real: The Life and Music of Charles Mingus, explores the tumultuous life and groundbreaking music of one of jazz’s most important and controversial figures. The book is not just a biography, it’s a journey through the complexities of Mingus’s personality and how they shaped his artistry. This man was a force of nature who embodied the American ideal of a self-made individual. He was also a deeply troubled soul who struggled with race, love, money, and the demons in his own head. It was this volatile mix that fueled his music, with its blend of European classical music, blues, gospel, Latin rhythms, and avant-garde jazz. His compositions were full of unexpected twists and turns, much like his life. And he demanded the same from his musicians, pushing them to improvise freely while staying within the frameworks he created.
My target audience includes jazz fans, music lovers, and anyone interested in the cultural history of the United States. Mingus’s struggles with race and his experiences as a Black man in America, during the tumultuous post-World War II decades, resonate deeply with our current debates about social justice and equality. I see this book as a key to understanding the development of jazz in the mid-20th century, and how Mingus helped expand its vocabulary and possibilities.

Book Outline

1. Introduction

Charles Mingus was more than just a musician—he was a force of nature whose impact extended far beyond music. To fully grasp his artistry, we need to delve into the context of his life—the people he encountered, the places he inhabited, the sociopolitical landscape of post-World War II America, and his unique position within the vibrant cultural renaissance that followed.

Key concept: I’ve tried to show how a fragile, fertile network of real people and places and a lifetime of encounters and events allowed Mingus to be Mingus—which is to say, one of the most important composers, pivotal artistic figures, and magnetic characters from the wild renaissance explosion of talented oddballs who rumbled across the arts in the post-World War II United States. In its own unique way, Charles Mingus’s quest was as American as it gets.

2. Growing Up Absurd

Mingus’s biracial heritage and family dynamics, shaped by the legacy of slavery and the ongoing racial struggles in America, deeply influenced his personality. He began studying music as a child and displayed a natural talent for it, though his early teachers often hindered his development more than helped. He gravitated towards jazz, where Black Americans had more freedom to create.

Key concept: Young Charles started music early, but he had bad teachers who screwed him up. Inadvertently, though, they taught him to rely on his quick ears rather than music on paper.

3. Making the Scene

As a teenager, Mingus discovered his passion for the bass, thanks to Buddy Collette’s advice. Recognizing the limited opportunities for Black musicians in classical music, Mingus dedicated himself to mastering jazz, specifically the bass, which he saw as his ticket to success. Under the tutelage of mentors like Lloyd Reese and Red Callender, he honed his skills, embracing improvisation and developing his own unique style.

Key concept: Learn to slap that bass, [Collette] told his friend, “and you’ll always be able to get work.”

4. Life During Wartime

World War II brought social and racial tensions to a boiling point, particularly in Los Angeles, with the Zoot Suit Riots, revealing the deep-seated racism that Mingus grappled with throughout his life. Meanwhile, he was expanding his musical horizons, exploring European classical music, soaking up the diverse sounds of wartime L.A., and collaborating with musicians like Illinois Jacquet.

Key concept: All his life, Mingus was expansive in his curiosity and insatiable in acting on it.

5. Portrait of the Artist

Mingus wasn’t just a talented musician; he was consciously crafting a persona, a multi-faceted character who embraced complexity and challenged expectations. His music reflected this, drawing inspiration from everything he encountered, from the grandeur of European classical music to the raw energy of blues and gospel.

Key concept: He was inventing a character, a multilayered collection of personalities, that his music would reflect. And at the foundation of his character was an undeniable impulse: to improvise life as he did music, to compose his history.

6. The Big Apple, or On the Road

This chapter traces Mingus’s move to New York, his struggles to establish himself in the city’s vibrant jazz scene, his short-lived marriage to Celia, and the birth of Debut Records. Driven by ambition and a need for creative control, Mingus constantly sought ways to break free from the limitations and exploitation he perceived in the music industry.

Key concept: But he was also a romantic in the usual sense too. He loved women, and they loved him—not just sexually, although there was also plenty of that. He was a musician, and a famous one, which means there were always women around who wanted to be around him.

7. Pithecanthropus Erectus

With Pithecanthropus Erectus, his first album for Atlantic Records, Mingus made his musical and intellectual ambitions clear. This chapter explores his exploration of extended forms, drawing inspiration from evolutionary theory and social commentary. It also looks at the dynamics of the Jazz Workshop, his unique approach to composition, and his struggles with both racism and the music industry.

Key concept: He called “Pithecanthropus Erectus” a jazz tone poem.

8. Mingus Dynasty

Mingus’s personal life, marked by intense relationships and tumultuous marriages, fueled his creative fire. He released a string of acclaimed albums, including Mingus Ah Um and Blues and Roots, and gained recognition for his groundbreaking musical concepts. This chapter examines how his music intertwined with his life experiences, transforming personal struggles and societal observations into powerful musical statements.

Key concept: “You’re the greatest. Remember that.”

9. Camelot

This chapter delves into the period of “Camelot,” the Kennedy era of optimism and change, and how it intersected with Mingus’s personal and artistic development. He achieved a level of success and recognition he’d long craved, but his personal demons and his struggles with the music industry continued to plague him. He tried to launch a holistic school combining music, art, and health, but it never fully materialized.

Key concept: He was the only one who knew what he wanted.

10. One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest

This chapter explores how the social and cultural upheavals of the 1960s, from the Civil Rights Movement to the rise of the counterculture, deeply affected Mingus and his music. He was a complex and contradictory figure, grappling with his own personal demons while trying to make sense of a rapidly changing world.

Key concept: He could cross those barriers with the music within him.

11. Beneath the Underdog

Mingus’s personal life continued to unravel as he separated from Celia and struggled with emotional instability, even as his career reached new heights. Debut Records struggled financially. This chapter looks at how Mingus navigated these challenges, delving deeper into his music and exploring the complexities of his personality.

Key concept: “He’s deepened but can’t mold his work.”

12. Let My Children Hear Music

Mingus’s creative output continued to evolve as he experimented with new sounds and formats. He achieved critical acclaim with The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady, and continued to challenge musical boundaries with his ambitious compositions and unpredictable stage presence. He struggled with personal relationships, financial instability, and the demands of his career, all of which fueled his music.

Key concept: He was constantly giving off vibes, like the San Andreas fault system running through his hometown.

13. Changes

Mingus experienced a resurgence in the 1970s, achieving a level of recognition he hadn’t enjoyed for years. He explored fusion music, collaborated with Joni Mitchell, and continued to refine his signature sound. His health deteriorated rapidly, leading to his death in 1979. This chapter examines how Mingus’s life, his music, and his personality were inextricably intertwined, each informing and shaping the others.

Key concept: Mingus music was autobiography in sound.

14. Don’t Be Afraid, the Clown’s Afraid, Too

Mingus’s final years were marked by the onset of ALS, a debilitating and fatal neurological disease. Despite his deteriorating health, he continued to work, record, and perform, driven by a need to leave behind a legacy that reflected the breadth and depth of his artistry. This chapter offers a poignant look at Mingus’s final struggle, his unwavering spirit in the face of adversity, and his ultimate acceptance of his fate.

Key concept: There is no known cause. There is no known cure. There is nothing to do besides keep the patient well fed and as healthy and happy as possible.

Essential Questions

1. How did Charles Mingus’s life experiences shape his musical style and approach?

Mingus’s music was an extension of his life, a reflection of his experiences, personality, and beliefs. He drew inspiration from diverse sources, from European classical music and gospel to Latin rhythms and the sounds of the city. His compositions often mirrored the chaotic energy and emotional intensity of his life, embracing improvisation and pushing musical boundaries. His shows were performances in themselves, full of drama and unpredictable turns, much like the man himself.

2. How did race and the complexities of racial identity influence Mingus’s music and worldview?

Mingus wrestled with his biracial heritage in a society obsessed with racial categories and discrimination. He saw himself as a Black man in America and often channeled his experiences with racism into his music, his titles, and his public pronouncements. He championed Black musicians and advocated for integration while simultaneously expressing the pain and complexity of being Black in a white-dominated world.

3. How did Mingus navigate the challenges and exploitation he perceived in the music industry?

Mingus constantly felt exploited by the music industry, which he saw as controlled by white executives and mobsters who profited from Black artistry. He tried to take control of his music and career by starting his own record label, Debut Records, and by demanding fair treatment and equal pay for Black musicians. He also fiercely protected his artistic vision, refusing to compromise his music to fit commercial expectations or to please critics.

4. How did the women in Mingus’s life influence his music and personal development?

Throughout his life, Mingus surrounded himself with strong, intelligent women who both supported and challenged him. He was intensely passionate and often formed deep, if tumultuous, connections with them. He named many of his compositions after women who were significant in his life, weaving their personalities and the dynamics of their relationships into his music.

5. How did Mingus’s music reflect the social and cultural landscape of postwar America?

Mingus was a product of his time, his music reflecting the social and cultural upheavals of postwar America. He was part of a generation that questioned authority, challenged social norms, and pushed boundaries. His music echoed the energy and anxieties of the Cold War era, the civil rights movement, and the counterculture, while also drawing inspiration from the rich cultural tapestry of American life.

Key Takeaways

1. Embrace Originality, Not Imitation

Mingus absorbed elements from various musical traditions and styles, but he always filtered them through his own unique sensibility. He used his deep understanding of music history and theory to create something new and original.

Practical Application:

In product development, especially in AI, where innovation often stems from combining existing technologies in novel ways, understanding the essence of what makes something unique is crucial. Focus on the core function and then look for ways to enhance and personalize it, rather than simply imitating what others have done.

2. Foster Collaboration and Individuality

Mingus’s bands were not simply backing groups; they were creative collectives where each musician was expected to be a strong, individual voice while contributing to a unified sound. He pushed his musicians hard, demanding their best, but also offered them creative freedom within the framework of his compositions.

Practical Application:

In team management, fostering a collaborative environment where individual voices can contribute to a shared vision is crucial. Create space for constructive criticism and encourage team members to push boundaries while staying within the framework of the project’s goals.

3. Challenge Unfair Systems

Mingus saw the music industry as inherently exploitative, particularly for Black musicians. He constantly battled for fair treatment and better pay, often resorting to confrontational tactics to make his point and to demand what he felt he deserved.

Practical Application:

In business negotiations, don’t be afraid to advocate for your worth and to challenge unfair practices. Understand your value and be willing to walk away from deals that don’t serve your interests.

4. Balance Vision with Reality

Mingus often struggled to balance his artistic vision with the demands of the music industry, the need to make a living, and the expectations of audiences.

Practical Application:

In project management, recognizing the impact of external factors, like deadlines, budgets, and stakeholder expectations, is crucial to success. But don’t lose sight of the project’s core goals and the need to maintain artistic integrity.

5. Tell Stories that Resonate

Mingus saw himself as a storyteller, his music a reflection of his life experiences and observations. His ability to tap into the emotional core of the human experience is what gives his music its lasting power.

Practical Application:

In content creation, whether in music, writing, or AI development, understanding that stories resonate deeply with people is crucial. Use your own experiences and observations to create content that speaks to the human condition.

Suggested Deep Dive

Chapter: Chapter 7: Pithecanthropus Erectus

This chapter focuses on one of Mingus’s most ambitious and challenging albums, revealing his process of drawing inspiration from diverse sources—evolutionary theory, social commentary, personal experiences—and weaving them into a unified and powerful musical statement. It provides insights into his approach to composition, his use of extended forms, and his constant experimentation with new ideas.

Memorable Quotes

Preface. 10

Creativity isn’t necessarily straightforward in its dealings with the world.

Chapter 3. 27

“That’s your first lesson, son.”

Chapter 5. 50

“I didn’t think I dug life the way other people did. I didn’t have any lust or love for life. I dug breathing and all that but I thought something must be wrong with life and there must be a better place to go.”

Chapter 6. 79

“Aw man, that ain’t jazz.”

Chapter 7. 117

“We don’t need a vocalist. This band can have an argument with instruments.”

Comparative Analysis

“Myself When I Am Real” distinguishes itself from other biographies of Charles Mingus through its intimate and detailed exploration of the musician’s life and creative process. Unlike previous works that often focused on Mingus’s volatile personality and public outbursts, Santoro delves deeper, revealing the multifaceted individual behind the “Angry Man” persona. He also connects Mingus’s music to broader cultural trends, showcasing how Mingus absorbed and transformed various musical styles and social currents into his own unique and powerful musical language. While acknowledging Mingus’s struggles with racism and the music industry, as discussed in other biographies, this book offers a more nuanced and sympathetic perspective on his complexities, ultimately painting a portrait of a deeply human artist whose music continues to resonate with audiences today.

Reflection

Charles Mingus’s life story, as told in Myself When I Am Real, is a uniquely American one. He embodied the best and worst of this country, its creativity and its cruelty, its promise and its failures. His struggles with race and his experiences as a Black man in America resonate deeply with our current debates about social justice and equality. His music, a genre largely invented by Black Americans, embodies the melting pot ideal—blending disparate sounds and styles into something new and vibrant. He struggled with the tension between embracing originality and succumbing to commercial pressures. He wanted to create art, but he also needed to pay the bills and support his family.

While Mingus often told colorful tales about himself, sometimes embellishing or even fabricating events to fit his narrative, he also offered insights about society and its institutions that deserve careful consideration. He was prescient in many ways, seeing patterns and connections that others missed. His observations about the music industry and its exploitation of artists, his critiques of racism and the ways it warps lives, his passionate defense of artistic freedom all resonate today. This book is not just a biography—it’s a cultural history, a musical treatise, and a meditation on the challenges of being human in a complex and often cruel world.

Flashcards

What is improvisation in jazz?

The practice of creating music spontaneously, in the moment, without pre-written scores.

What is a double stop?

A bass technique where the musician plucks two strings simultaneously, creating a rich and resonant sound.

What is double consciousness?

The feeling of discomfort or unease that arises from holding two or more conflicting beliefs or values.

What is polytonality?

A musical term referring to the use of several keys simultaneously, creating a layered and complex harmonic effect.

What is bebop?

A musical form characterized by its improvisational nature, complex harmonies, and syncopated rhythms, originating in the 1940s.

What was Debut Records?

The record label Mingus started to gain control over his music and to offer opportunities to up-and-coming jazz musicians.

Who was Jimmy Blanton?

An influential jazz bassist who revolutionized the instrument’s role in jazz, paving the way for Mingus and others.

What was the Black Power Movement?

An important musical and social movement that advocated for black pride, self-reliance, and cultural ownership.