Charles Mingus' 1959 Columbia sessions were both a summation of his diverse work up to that point and a bold step forward. There was no stopping this incredible musical mind who'd found his voice as a bassist, composer and bandleader. The bands that Mingus assembled at Columbia's 30th Street studio in May and November of 1959 consisted of the greatest exponents of his music to date and included he likes of Jimmy Knepper, John Handy, Booker Ervin, Horace Parlan and Dannie Richmond.
These fruitful sessions, which resulted in both Mingus Ah Um and Mingus Dynasty, introduced several classics that would become jazz standards and evergreens in the bassist's repertoire including "Better Git It In Your Soul," "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" and "Fables Of Faubus" plus homages to luminaries like Ellington ("Open Letter To Duke"), with whom Mingus is most frequently compared for the vastness, depth and diversity of his recordings, and Morton ("Jelly Roll"), jazz's first great composer.
 
Tracklist:
Better Git It In Your Soul
Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
Boogie Stop Shuffle
Self-Portrait In Three Colors
Open Letter To Duke
Bird Calls
Fables Of Faubus
Pussy Cat Dues
Jelly Roll