CHARLIE MINGUS - CONTRACT SIGNED 12/18/1972 - HFSID 287828

CHARLIE MINGUS
Contract for a concert appearance at Williams College
Contract signed: "Charles Mingus", 4 pages, 8½x11. No place, 1972 December 18. Mingus agrees to perform a 90-minute show at Williams College on January 31, 1973, for a sum of $2,250, half in advance. The contract stipulates that the employer will provide "a grand piano in good condition tuned to A440 pitch." Charles "Charlie" Mingus (1922-1979) was known worldwide as a jazz bassist, composer and bandleader as well as an occasional pianist. Mingus, who toured with Louis Armstrong in 1943 and played with Lionel Hampton's band in the late 1940s, was also briefly a member of Duke Ellington's band and played live dates with Charlie Parker before gaining recognition as a bandleader in his own right. Over the years, Mingus recruited dozens of talented and little-known artists, many of whom went on to successful careers of their own. Mingus, who recorded a number of albums as a bandleader, co-founded Debut Records with Max Roach in 1952 to maintain control over his recording career. Active against racism and known for his fearsome temperament, he was called "The Angry Man of Jazz"). Mingus' compositions include Epitaph, one of the longest jazz pieces ever written (over 4,000 measures). Staple holes at top left corner. Lightly toned and creased. Multiple mailing folds. Corners lightly worn. Otherwise, fine condition.