Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has just had its global theatrical release. One interesting connection between that movie and Charles Mingus is the Haitian Revolution. One of the new characters in the most recent installment in the Black Panther universe is T'Challa's secret son, who calls himself Toussaint -- a name inspired by Toussaint Louverture, who was one of the leaders of the Haitian Revolution. Earlier this year The New York Times did a deep investigation into the cost of Haiti's freedom, quite astonishing.

"Haitian Fight Song" (on The Clown) seems to be inspired by the Haitian Revolution, overlapped with the early years of the Civil Rights movement. "Haitian Fight Song" has been included in a number of MAP concerts, and it will be exciting to see and hear how Michael Hawkins & the Brotherhood perform it at the Firehouse Theatre next February.

We're excited that a Mingus Awareness Project concert happens in Richmond on February 5th -- at the Firehouse Theatre. Visit firehousetheatre.org for ticket info.

Sue Graham Mingus passed away on September 24th. She was a courageous and talented woman who worked and lived with her husband Charles, and then championed his music and legacy for decades after his death. Here is a remembrance of Sue Graham Mingus on Fresh Air, including an interview that Terry Gross did with Sue in 2002.

We were able to get in contact with Sue in 2007, and we are grateful to have known her. She donated a signed Mingus Awareness Project poster to us, which was then auctioned off for benefit purpose. She read passages from her memoir Tonight at Noon: A Love Story during a MAP concert in 2009, to a receptive and engaged audience at The Hideout.

2022 is Charles Mingus' centennial year, and Nogales, Arizona (which was Mingus' birthplace) hosts a Mingus Centennial Celebration and Dedication of Mingus Memorial with Mingus Dynasty Quintet on April 22nd. Follow this link for more info!

The rebellion at Attica Prison happened in September 1971, resulting in 43 people dying (including 33 prisoners and ten prison staff). Mingus' composition "Remember Rockefeller at Attica" (on Changes One) is inspired by the Attica Uprising.

Stanley Nelson directed the documentary Attica, out on Showtime earlier this month -- capturing key moments in this tragic five-day event, and including reflections about how what happened resonates today. Also notable is the Pulitzer Prize-winning Blood in the Wate: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy by Heather Ann Thompson.

The great NYC-based poet Steve Dalachinsky passed away earlier this month. His avant garde poetry involved many collaborations with jazz artists during his long career. Several years ago he contributed a poem to "Charles Mingus at 90"; here it is --

The great director D. A. Pennebaker passed away earlier this month. His multi-decade filmography includes Dont Look Back, Monterey Pop, and Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. In 1964 he directed You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You, a short documentary that focuses on Timothy Leary and Nena von Schlebrügge's wedding. Charles Mingus appears in the film, playing piano.

A Mingus Awareness Project concert happened
at the Firehouse Theatre in June. Here're the details.

Joni Mitchell released her amazing album Mingus 40 years ago. The album teems with great songs and remarkable virtuosity by the musicians involved. Here's a live version of "The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines," which involved a collaboration between Mingus and Mitchell.

The multi-talented vocalist, composer and arranger Saalik Ziyad passed away earlier this month. He was active on Chicago's music scene, and was a member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). He performed during several Mingus Awareness Project concerts. His musicality and spirit will be missed.

Here is the recording of "Free Cell Block F, 'Tis Nazi U.S.A." which was performed at The Promontory. Saalik's on vocals, and he also wrote the lyrics to this Mingus composition.