Charles Mingus was one of the most original, iconoclastic and influential composers of the Twentieth Century. The vast scope of his work includes everything from orchestral tone poems like “Adagio ma Non Troppo,” to the Gospel-tinged “Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting” and the hard-swinging jazz classic “Moanin’.” He was passionate, political, controversial and an ever imposing force on the global jazz scene until his untimely death in 1979. His rich legacy remains an indispensable part of the jazz canon and continues to invite deeper inspection and modern interpretation. With a respectful nod to the forward-looking spirit of Charles Mingus, contemporary rhythmic elements (hip-hop, drum & bass, etc.) will be introduced in the reshaping, deconstruction and at time, total renovation of the original material. By audition, at the instructor's discretion.