Chair in the Sky is the first studio album by jazz group Mingus Dynasty. It was released in May 1980, through Elektra Records. Produced by İlhan Mimaroğlu, the album features a group of musicians who had previously played with jazz bassist Charles Mingus, and was recorded months after Mingus' death in January 1979.
The album contains renditions of three songs which appeared on Joni Mitchell's Mingus (1979), which was a collaboration with the bassist and featured some of his final compositions. Additionally, versions of "Boogie Stop Shuffle", "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" (both of which had appeared on Mingus' 1959 album Mingus Ah Um, while a version of the latter with lyrics was included on Mingus), and "My Jelly Roll Soul" (from 1960's Blues & Roots) are included.
Reception
DownBeat assigned the album 4 stars. Reviewer Jon Balleras wrote,"The notion of the music of the late Charlie Mingus being performed by a repertory company composed of Mingus alumni seems not only a fitting tribute to this virtuoso bassist but also in a way necessary".
Track listing
Personnel
John Handy – alto saxophone Joe Farrell – tenor saxophone Jimmy Owens – trumpet, flugelhorn Jimmy Knepper – trombone Don Pullen – piano Charlie Haden – bass Dannie Richmond – drums
References