Site Revisions Underway Some Features May Not Work
Poster for Charles Mingus: Triumph of the Underdog

Charles Mingus: Triumph of the Underdog (1997)

★ 7.5/10 78 min Music, Documentary United States English
Director: Don McGlynn
Streaming on:
A thorough, poignant profile of jazz legend Charlie Mingus.

Description

Don McGlynn's uncompromising and soulful documentary look at the tumultuous life of musician and rebel Charles Mingus is fascinating stuff. Mingus said of himself "I am half black man, half yellow man, but I claim to be a Negro. I am Charles Mingus, the famed jazz musician--but not famed enough to make a living in America." His statement summed up the conflict that plagued this musical genius his entire life: volatility, pain, prescience, and raw rage roiled inside a complex man, composer, bass player, and trombonist who transcended labels and refused to be pigeonholed into a single musical style--and who did not achieve real fame until late in his career.

Top Cast

Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus Self (archive footage)
Gunther Schuller
Gunther Schuller Self
Wynton Marsalis
Wynton Marsalis Self
Sue Mingus Self
Celia Zaentz Self
John Handy Self
Britt Woodman Self
Jack Walrath Self

Powered by

TMDB
× Movie poster
Back to Film Diary Index