“Each jazz musician when he takes a horn in his hand — trumpet, bass, saxophone, drums — whatever instrument he plays — each soloist, that is, when he begins to ad lib on a given composition with a title and improvise a new creative melody, this man is taking the place of a composer.”

—  Charles Mingus

What Is A Jazz Composer? (1971)

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Charles Mingus photo
Charles Mingus 18
American jazz double bassist, composer and bandleader 1922–1979

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Charles Mingus (1922–1979) American jazz double bassist, composer and bandleader

What Is A Jazz Composer? (1971)

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