Queenstown Concert Series - Support Act: Adrian Laird Quintet

24 October 2014 7:30pm - 10:00pm

Queenstown Memorial Centre

The Charles Mingus Tribute Quintet is an exciting musical ensemble specially curated for the Queenstown JazzFest and support act for Mike Nock.

Showcasing the most prominent works of the prolific composer and bandleader, the concert is sure to be one of the highlights of the jazz festival weekend.

This act is headed by double bassist Adrian Laird, who leads the Wellington Mingus Ensemble, a sixteen piece big band dedicated to exploring Mingus' diverse and rich back catalogue. The group also features the finest of New Zealand jazz talent in tenor saxophonist Roger Manins, Nick Cornish on alto saxophone, pianist Will Martin, and Reuben Bradley on drums.  

Charles Mingus was a notable jazz composer, double bassist, and bandleader. He originally played with bebop pioneers Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, before breaking away to pursue his own music. Highly regarded for his bass playing, he penned a diverse array of complex compositions that blended elements of gospel, blues, spanish music, free jazz, and classical music. Often viewed as heir apparent to Duke Ellington, Mingus' writing for his groups was inspired and decidedly modern.