He was married to Sue Mingus, Judy Starkey, Celia Zaentz and Canilla Jeanne Gross. It was a clique, a clique of people. Charles Mingus 1922 – 1979. Who all believed in one thing: gettin' high. Established His Own Trademarks. The guys aren't together. They're all separated. Charles Mingus Biography by Richard S. Ginell + Follow Artist. And playin'.” Charles Mingus, 56, Bass Player, Bandleader and Composer, Dead. Charles Mingus (22 April 1922 - 5 January 1979) was an American jazz composer, pianist, double bassist and bandleader. Read Full Biography. Charles Mingus, one of the leading Jazz bass players, bandleaders and composers of the last 25 years, died Friday of a … Biography Early life and career. Mingus was largely raised in the Watts area of Los Angeles. Bird was a symbol. Individuals now. In slightly under 230 pages, author Brian Priestley attempts to cover the life of A legendary composer, innovator, and bass virtuoso who articulated contemporary emotional currents as well as anyone in jazz. He is widely regarded as one of the most iconoclastic and influential jazz musicians of the 1950s and 1960s. He died on January 5, 1979 in Cuernavaca, Mexico. His maternal grandfather was a Chinese British subject from Hong Kong, and his maternal grandmother was an African-American from the southern United States. A legendary composer, innovator, and bass virtuoso who articulated contemporary emotional currents as well as anyone in jazz. Charles Mingus was born in Nogales, Arizona.His father, Charles Mingus Sr., was a sergeant in the U.S. Army. Bassist, composer. #Music #Writing #Play “It (jazz) isn't like it used to be. -- Charles Mingus . Charles Mingus Biography by Richard S. Ginell + Follow Artist. Ellington ’ s Influence. Prototype for the 1960s ” Chill of Death ” Selected discography. As a bassist, he knew few peers, blessed with a powerful tone and pulsating sense of rhythm, capable of elevating the instrument into the front line of a band. Read Full Biography. Charles Mingus was born on April 22, 1922 in Nogales, Arizona, USA as Charles Barron Mingus.