About this episode
1959 gave us Kind of Blue, Time Out ... and Mingus Ah Um. Adam and Peter dig into Charles Mingus’s most adventurous, soulful record: gospel, bebop, and pure Mingus genius. You’ve never heard it quite like this. Charles Mingus was one of jazz's greatest bass players AND composers. Listen with us as we break down the genius in every track of his best-selling record, and share stories of the brilliant, chaotic, occasionally volatile man behind Mingus Ah Um. Start your free Open Studio trial for ALLLLL your jazz lesson needs: https://osjazz.link/yhi 00:00 — Opening Jam: "Better Git It In Your Soul" 01:40 — What's happening at Open Studio 3:15 — 1959: What a Great Year! 5:40 — Early Mingus 10:40 — "All the Things You Can C#" from Mingus at the Bohemia 11:40 — "A Foggy Day" from Pithecanthropus Erectus 16:15 — "Better Get Hit In Your Soul" 23:35 — This One is For the Nerds 27:50 — "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" 34:36 — "Boogie Stop Shuffle" 38:30 — "Self-Portrait in Three Colors" 40:30 — The Duke Ellington Influence 45:10 — "Open Letter to Duke" 48:05 — "Bird Calls" 49:00 — "Fables of Faubus" 56:40 - "Pussy Cat Dues" 58:15 — "Jelly Roll" 1:00:15 — Categories 1:10:50 — GALA Play better in 2026 and beyond at Open Studio. Join today with our last BIG savings of the year at openstudiojazz.com/yhi