Throwback: Happy 102nd Birthday, Charles Mingus!

April is a busy and auspicious month in music history:

• The 75th anniversary of the birth of the legendary Gil Scott-Heron was on April 1
• The 85th anniversary of the birth of R&B and soul legend Marvin Gaye was on April 2
• The 111th anniversary of the birth of legendary bluesman Muddy Waters was on April 4 
• Pharrell Williams celebrated his 51st birthday on April 5
• One of the most beloved figures of the Outlaw Country movement, 
• Merle Haggard was born 84 years ago on April 6
• Robert Glasper celebrated his 46th birthday on April 6
• The 109th anniversary of Billie Holiday‘s birth was on April 7
• John Oates, of Daryl Hall and John Oates fame celebrated his 75th birthday on April 7 
• The 60th anniversary of Biz Markie‘s birth was on April 7
• The 77th anniversary of Kraftwerk co-founder Florian Schneider‘s birth was on April 7
• A Tribe Called Quest‘s Q-Tip one of hip-hop’s greatest emcees and producers celebrated his 54th birthday on April 10
• The legendary and pioneering Herbie Hancock celebrated his 84th birthday on March 12
• Echo & The Bunnymen‘s Will Sergeant celebrated his 66th on April 12 
• R&B and soul legend Al Green celebrated his 78th birthday on April 13
• Radiohead‘s Ed O’Brien celebrated his 56th birthday on April 15
• Midnight Oil‘s frontman Peter Garrett celebrated his 71st birthday on April 16
• Liz Phair celebrated her 57th birthday on April 17
• Redman celebrated his 54th birthday on April 17
• Onyx’s Fredro Starr celebrated his 53rd birthday on April 18
• The 73rd anniversary of Luther Vandross‘ birth was on April 20
• The legendary Iggy Pop celebrated his 77th birthday on April 21
• The Cure‘s founding member frontman, guitarist and principle songwriter Robert Smith celebrated his 65th birthday on April 21

The 102nd anniversary of Charles Mingus‘ birth is today. Mingus is largely considered one of the greatest and most beloved composers and musicians in jazz history. His compositions can be mischievous, complex yet accessible. And they always reveal something you hadn’t noticed before in previous listens. 

Happy birthday, Mr. Mingus! Happy birthday, wherever you are!