WKCR announces our annual birthday celebration for renowned bassist and pianist Charles Mingus, broadcast on FM and HD radio and online 24 hours straight from 12:00 am to midnight on April 22, 2023.

Charles Mingus was a highly influential American jazz musician, composer, and bandleader. Born on April 22, 1922, in Nogales, Arizona, he grew up in Los Angeles and began playing the bass at an early age. He went on to study music at Los Angeles City College and played with a number of important jazz musicians, including Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, and Charlie Parker. Mingus was known for his virtuosic bass playing, his innovative compositions that blended different styles and genres, and his outspoken personality.

One of the most notable aspects of Mingus' music was his willingness to explore social and political issues through his compositions. He often tackled topics like racism, poverty, and civil rights in his music, and his work was seen as an important part of the cultural and political landscape of the time. Mingus passed away on January 5, 1979, but his influence on jazz music and American culture continues to be felt today. His music has been covered and interpreted by countless musicians over the years, and his legacy as a composer and bandleader remains as strong as ever. As contemporary jazz musician Christian McBride once said of Mingus, "He was a man of strong convictions, and he knew what he wanted to say through his music. He wasn't afraid to take risks, and that's what makes his music so timeless."

Join us at WKCR during our celebration of Mingus’ 101st birthday, as we air 24 hours of music from his immense discography! The broadcast will feature live programming highlighting music from the archives as well as some legacy archival Phil Schaap programming. Follow WKCR on Instagram (@wkcr) and Twitter (@WKCRFM) for further updates. Online listening is available 24/7 at wkcr.org via our web stream.