85th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR CHARLES MINGUS

Conducted by Gunther Schuller
Hosted by Bill Cosby

Epitaph, an epic work in 20 movements composed by Charles Mingus "for his
tombstone" was premiered at Alice Tully Hall in 1989 and heralded as "the greatest jazz event of the decade" by the New York Times. Gunther Schuller called it "the most important prophetic statement in the history of jazz."

Now Schuller conducts 30 outstanding musicians, featuring Christian McBride on bass, in the first U.S. performance of this unique musical work in almost two decades. It will include the world premiere of a newly-discovered movement entitled Inquisition, which completes the work. One of the
most exciting aspects of this new presentation of Epitaph are the musicians themselves, who have been performing Mingus music for the past 15 years - through a weekly engagement in New York as well on international tours - and will present the Mingus legacy as it lives and breathes today.