Charles Mingus Mini-Fest: Night 2

This second night will feature:

7:00 PM –  The Folk Forms Quintet

8:15 PM – screening of Triumph of the Underdog (runtime: 78 min) downstairs in the Word Cellar

All programs are curated by Thomas Wendt and David Throckmorton. Please RSVP to each night separately. Click here to register for Night One. 

Featured Musicians: The Folk Forms Quintet

Chris Hemingway, alto saxophone
Jeff Bush, trombone
Antonio Croes, piano
Tony DePaolis, bass
Thomas Wendt, drums

Featured Film: Triumph of the Underdog

This documentary focuses on the life and music of jazz composer Charles Mingus (1922-1979), combining archival footage and interviews with two of his wives, Sue Mingus (a co-producer of this film) and Celia Mingus Zaentz, plus a variety of performers and past Mingus associates, including Dannie Richmond and John Handy. The film concludes with the posthumous premiere of Mingus’ “Epitaph.” The title of this documentary is a reference to Mingus’ controversial autobiography, Beneath the Underdog. Shown at the 1997 London Film Festival.

Curated by:

David Throckmorton has performed all over the world with artists including: Maynard Ferguson, David Fiuczynski, Tony Grey, Hotei and Javon Jackson. David is 1/3 of DTC Organ Trio featuring guitarist Dan Wilson, and organist Cliff Barnes. David leads or co-leads his own ensembles including Beam, Thoth Trio, Smash Your Wagon and The David Throckmorton Quartet. David performs clinics and masterclasses worldwide and endorses Yamaha Drums, Sabian Cymbals and Vic Firth Drumsticks.

Thomas Wendt has been playing the drums professionally since the age of 14. A graduate of The Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, he has studied with master drummers Roger Humphries, Joe Harris, and Kenny Washington. Thomas maintains a busy freelancing schedule with Pittsburgh’s top jazz artists such as Dwayne Dolphin, Joe Negri, Sean Jones, Dave & Maureen Budway, Kenia, the Latin jazz group, Salsamba, and the newly re-formed Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra. He has also played with many visiting international artists like David “Fathead” Newman, Donald Byrd, James Moody, Jimmy Heath to name a few. In 2008, Thomas played on the Emmy Award winning soundtrack for the PBS documentary, “Fly Boys” and in 2010 he recorded an album featuring trombonists Jay Ashby and Steve Davis. Thomas appeared at The 2012 Litchfield Jazz Festival with jazz legend Hubert Laws and in 2013 performed with pianist Alan Broadbent for the Nyack NY Library Concert Series. Since 1998 he has been on the faculty at the Afro-American Music Institute in Homewood.