Joni and Mingus. These two artists managed to influence the world with their musicality, expressivity, bright ideas, and progressive thoughts and approaches to making music. The fact that they can be identified by first or last name alone speaks to their potency.  Joni Mitchell and Charles Mingus were great thinkers and always made their experiences speak through their music. Each musician’s compositional voice and strengths easily compliment the other’s. Mitchell’s poetic tendencies easily wrap themselves around Mingus’ moody and evocative jazz sensibilities. I like to think that they admired each other and understood each other deeply.

Listen to the amazing Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Jaco Pastorius, Peter Erskine and Joni Mitchell on this bittersweet, quirky and poignant description of love, “Sweet Sucker Dance”. This is proof that Mingus’ compositions and Joni’s lyrics were destined to be together. This is effortless and brilliant.

Joni Mitchell and Charles Mingus – Sweet Sucker Dance

Want to hear more music by Joni Mitchell and Charles Mingus? You can catch the fabulous Sarah Kennedy with her full band, Ben Henriques (sax), David Blake (guitar), Nick Peck (piano), Sam Cartwright (drums), and Michael Rush (bass) at Frankie’s December 19th! Click here for more info.

Brought to you by Coastal Jazz.