On Friday, April 22nd 2016 at 12:00 AM, WKCR will celebrate the birth of one of the great innovators of American music, bassist and composer Charles Mingus. He was able to accomplish what so many of today's musicians strive for: his music was always original, transcending genre boundaries yet always remaining deeply rooted in the jazz tradition. Early in his career, he performed with such greats as Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory, and Lionel Hampton. In the 1950's, he settled in New York and innovated alongside many of the great jazz musicians of the era including Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Bud Powell, and Max Roach. Mingus would soon be one of the leaders of the avant-garde, collaborating with musicians including Eric Dolphy and Gunther Schuller. He explored the dynamic between improvisation and composition in his highly creative music and experimented with timbre in both small and large ensemble works. Please join us as we present his music and celebrate his legacy throughout the day.