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 performed Thursday nights from 1991 to 2004 at the Fez under Time Cafe in New York City, occasionally alternating with the Charles Mingus Orchestra. In November 2004, the big band began its Tuesday night residency at Iridium Jazz Club and in May 2005, it brought back the era of late night Jazz to Joe's Pub every Thursday.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.
Regulars in the 14-piece band are selected from among the following:
3 Trumpets: Randy Brecker, Eddie Henderson, Alex Sipiagin, Kenny Rampton, Jeremy Pelt, Walter White, Ryan Kisor, Earl Gardner.
3 Trombones: Conrad Herwig, Ku-umba Frank Lacy, Robin Eubanks, Clark Gayton, Luis Bonilla, Isaac Smith, Earl McIntyre, Dave Taylor, Douglas Purviance.
5 Saxophones: Seamus Blake, Craig Handy, Wayne Escoffery, Vincent Herring, Abraham Burton, Ronnie Cuber, Mike Sim, Jaleel Shaw, Lauren Sevian.
Piano: David Kikoski, Orrin Evans, George Colligan, Kenny Drew Jr., John Hicks, David Budway.
Bass: Boris Kozlov, Vicente Archer, Andy McKee, Duane Burno, John Benitez, Chip Jackson.
Drums: Donald Edwards, Johnathan Blake, Tommy Campbell, Gene Jackson.

Members of the 10-piece Charles MINGUS ORCHESTRA are chosen from the following (one musician for each chair):
Tenor and Soprano Sax: Seamus Blake, Craig Handy, Wayne Escoffery, Vincent Herring, Mike Sim
Alto and Soprano Sax, Flute, Clarinet: Alex Foster, Craig Handy, Vincent Herring, Scott Robinson
Bass Clarinet: Douglas Yates, Ronnie Cuber, Mike Sim
Bassoon: Michael Rabinowitz
French Horn: Bobby Routch, Tom Varner, Vincent Chancey
Trombone: Ku-umba Frank Lacy, Conrad Herwig, Clark Gayton, Luis Bonilla
Trumpet: Kenny Rampton, Alex Sipiagin, Jeremy Pelt, Eddie Henderson, Randy Brecker
Guitar: Adam Rogers, David Gilmore, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Freddy Bryant, Jack Wilkins, Mark Whitfield
Bass: Boris Kozlov, Andy McKee, Vincent Archer, John Benitez
Drums: Donald Edwards, Johnathan Blake, Gene Jackson, Jeff 'Tain' Watts, Tommy Crane

The 7-piece MINGUS DYNASTY members included: Craig Handy, Wayne Escoffery,
Ku-umba Frank Lacy, Alex Sipiagin, Boris Kozlov, Donald Edwards, Kenny Drew Jr.

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.