Gary Crosby Sextet: Mingus Moves

Born in London of Jamaican parents in 1955, and nephew of the legendary Jamaican guitarist, Ernest Ranglin, Dr Gary Crosby OBE is a towering figure in British jazz.

He has earned a reputation as one of the UK’s most respected bassists and band leaders; as well as Gary Crosby’s Nu Troop, he founded Jazz Jamaica, and is Artistic Director of Nu Civilisation Orchestra.

As Co-Founder of Tomorrow’s Warriors, he has nurtured the early careers of hundreds of aspiring young jazz artists, including 2023 Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective, Nubya Garcia, Soweto Kinch, Denys Baptiste, Moses Boyd, Shabaka Hutchings, ESKA and many more. His awards include an OBE for Services to Music, he was the first Black musician and first jazz musician to receive The Queen’s Medal for Music 2018, and 2021, Crosby was awarded an honorary doctorate, Doctor of Music honoris causa, by the University of London Institute in Paris.

Leading his powerhouse sextet Mingus Moves is a celebration of one of the most iconic jazz bassists and composers.

An instantly recognisable figure as he played double bass, Charles Mingus was an imposing physical presence on stage. However, it was his skill as a composer that set him apart, bridging the eras of Ellington and Parker and into the free improvisation of the 1960s. His music continually reflected his venturesome mind and he left behind a legacy of iconic jazz recordings – Black Saint and the Sinner Lady, Mingus Ah Um, Blues and Roots and Mingus Mingus Mingus being just a few.

For this special celebration Crosby will lead his sextet through his personal favourite from the Mingus catalogue – Mingus Moves, recorded in 1973 and possibly his last great album. There will also be some classic Mingus tracks including Goodbye Pork Pie Hat and II BS.

As well as being a fellow double bass player, when asked why the music of Mingus has a special hold over him as a jazz artist, Crosby explains:
“He was STAUNCH! He never compromised the music or held back on his beliefs.  Yes, Mingus embraced improvisation, or as he called it ‘extemporisation’, but it starts with the power of his compositions and the belief that he had in his music.”