Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
Encyclopedia
"Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" is a jazz standard
composed by Charles Mingus
originally recorded by his sextet in 1959 as listed below, and released on his album Mingus Ah Um
. Mingus wrote it as an elegy
for saxophonist Lester Young
, who had died two months prior to the recording session. It is one of Mingus' best-known compositions and has been recorded by many jazz and jazz fusion
artists. Joni Mitchell
added lyrics to the song for her album Mingus
, recorded in collaboration with Mingus during the months before his death. Rahsaan Roland Kirk
also composed lyrics to the song, included on his album The Return of the 5000 Lb. Man
.
Jazz standard
Jazz standards are musical compositions which are an important part of the musical repertoire of jazz musicians, in that they are widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz musicians, and widely known by listeners. There is no definitive list of jazz standards, and the list of songs deemed to be...
composed by Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus Jr. was an American jazz musician, composer, bandleader, and civil rights activist.Mingus's compositions retained the hot and soulful feel of hard bop and drew heavily from black gospel music while sometimes drawing on elements of Third stream, free jazz, and classical music...
originally recorded by his sextet in 1959 as listed below, and released on his album Mingus Ah Um
Mingus Ah Um
Mingus Ah Um is a jazz album by Charles Mingus, recorded and released on Columbia Records in 1959. It was his first album recorded for Columbia. The cover features a painting by S...
. Mingus wrote it as an elegy
Elegy
In literature, an elegy is a mournful, melancholic or plaintive poem, especially a funeral song or a lament for the dead.-History:The Greek term elegeia originally referred to any verse written in elegiac couplets and covering a wide range of subject matter, including epitaphs for tombs...
for saxophonist Lester Young
Lester Young
Lester Willis Young , nicknamed "Prez", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. He also played trumpet, violin, and drums....
, who had died two months prior to the recording session. It is one of Mingus' best-known compositions and has been recorded by many jazz and jazz fusion
Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
artists. Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell, CC is a Canadian musician, singer songwriter, and painter. Mitchell began singing in small nightclubs in her native Saskatchewan and Western Canada and then busking in the streets and dives of Toronto...
added lyrics to the song for her album Mingus
Mingus (album)
Mingus is the tenth studio album by Joni Mitchell, and a collaboration with jazz musician Charles Mingus. Recorded in the months before his death, it would be Mingus's final musical project; the album is wholly dedicated to him....
, recorded in collaboration with Mingus during the months before his death. Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Rahsaan Roland Kirk was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist who played tenor saxophone, flute and many other instruments...
also composed lyrics to the song, included on his album The Return of the 5000 Lb. Man
The Return of the 5000 Lb. Man
The Return of the 5000 Lb. Man is an album by jazz multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk featuring performances by Kirk with Howard Johnson, Romeo Penque, Hilton Ruiz, Buster Williams, Charlie Persip, Joe Habao Texidor, Betty Neals, Maeretha Stewart, Hank Jones, Milt Hinton, Fred Moore, Wilton...
.
Personnel
- John HandyJohn HandyJohn Richard Handy III is an American jazz alto saxophonist.-Biography:In the 1960s, Handy led several groups...
— tenor saxophoneTenor saxophoneThe tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble... - Booker ErvinBooker ErvinBooker Telleferro Ervin II was an American tenor saxophone player. He was perhaps best known for his association with bassist Charles Mingus....
— tenor saxophoneTenor saxophoneThe tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble... - Shafi Hadi — tenor saxophoneTenor saxophoneThe tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble...
- Horace ParlanHorace ParlanHorace Parlan is an American hard bop and post-bop piano player.He is noted for his contributions to the classic Charles Mingus recordings Mingus Ah Um and Blues & Roots....
— pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Charles MingusCharles MingusCharles Mingus Jr. was an American jazz musician, composer, bandleader, and civil rights activist.Mingus's compositions retained the hot and soulful feel of hard bop and drew heavily from black gospel music while sometimes drawing on elements of Third stream, free jazz, and classical music...
— bassDouble bassThe double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2... - Dannie RichmondDannie RichmondDannie Richmond was an American drummer who was best known among jazz fans for his work with Charles Mingus, and among pop fans for his work with Joe Cocker, Elton John and Mark-Almond....
— drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
By Mingus
- Mingus Ah UmMingus Ah UmMingus Ah Um is a jazz album by Charles Mingus, recorded and released on Columbia Records in 1959. It was his first album recorded for Columbia. The cover features a painting by S...
(1959) - Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus MingusMingus Mingus Mingus Mingus MingusMingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus is a 1963 album by jazz composer and bassist Charles Mingus.- Historical Context :...
(1963) (as "Theme for Lester Young") - Three or Four Shades of BluesThree or Four Shades of BluesThree or Four Shades of Blues is an album by Charles Mingus recorded for the Atlantic label in 1977. It features two new versions of Mingus' "standards" and three new compositions performed by large ensembles featuring Jack Walrath, Ricky Ford, George Coleman, Sonny Fortune, Jimmy Rowles, Philip...
(1977)
By others
- Bert JanschBert JanschHerbert "Bert" Jansch was a Scottish folk musician and founding member of the band Pentangle. He was born in Glasgow and came to prominence in London in the 1960s, as an acoustic guitarist, as well as a singer-songwriter...
and John RenbournJohn RenbournJohn Renbourn is an English guitarist and songwriter. He is possibly best known for his collaboration with guitarist Bert Jansch as well as his work with the folk group Pentangle, although he maintained a solo career before, during and after that band's existence .While most commonly labelled a...
— Bert and JohnBert And JohnBert And John is the fourth album by Scottish folk musician Bert Jansch, released in 1966. A number of songs are performed with friend and fellow guitarist John Renbourn, who would later join him in the group Pentangle. An expanded version of the album was later released in America in 1969 by...
(1966) - PentanglePentangle (band)Pentangle are a British folk rock band with some folk jazz influences. The original band were active in the late 1960s and early 1970s and a later version has been active since the early 1980s...
— Sweet ChildSweet ChildSweet Child was a 1968 double album by the British folk-rock band Pentangle: Terry Cox, Bert Jansch, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn and Danny Thompson. One album was recorded at Pentangle's live concert in the Royal Festival Hall, which took place on 29 June 1968: the other was recorded in the studio...
(1968) - John McLaughlinJohn McLaughlin (musician)John McLaughlin , also known as Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, is an English guitarist, bandleader and composer...
— My Goal's BeyondMy Goal's BeyondMy Goal's Beyond is the third solo album of John McLaughlin. The album was originally released on Douglas Records in the US. It was later reissued by Rykodisc....
(1970) - Anthony BraxtonAnthony BraxtonAnthony Braxton is an American composer, saxophonist, clarinettist, flautist, pianist, and philosopher. Braxton has released well over 100 albums since the 1960s...
— In the Tradition, Vol. 1 (1974) - Ralph TownerRalph TownerRalph Towner is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and bandleader. He plays the twelve-string guitar, classical guitar, piano, synthesizer, percussion and trumpet.-Biography:...
and Gary BurtonGary BurtonGary Burton is an American jazz vibraphonist.A true original on the vibraphone, Burton developed a pianistic style of four-mallet technique as an alternative to the usual two-mallets. This approach caused Burton to be heralded as an innovator and his sound and technique are widely imitated...
— MatchbookMatchbook (Ralph Towner & Gary Burton album)Matchbook is an album by guitarist Ralph Towner and vibraphonist Gary Burton recorded in 1974 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4½ stars stating "More tempo and mood variation would have uplifted the otherwise fine music".-Track listing:#...
(1974) - Rahsaan Roland KirkRahsaan Roland KirkRahsaan Roland Kirk was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist who played tenor saxophone, flute and many other instruments...
— The Return of the 5000 Lb. ManThe Return of the 5000 Lb. ManThe Return of the 5000 Lb. Man is an album by jazz multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk featuring performances by Kirk with Howard Johnson, Romeo Penque, Hilton Ruiz, Buster Williams, Charlie Persip, Joe Habao Texidor, Betty Neals, Maeretha Stewart, Hank Jones, Milt Hinton, Fred Moore, Wilton...
(1976) - Jeff BeckJeff BeckGeoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
— Wired (1976) - Horace ParlanHorace ParlanHorace Parlan is an American hard bop and post-bop piano player.He is noted for his contributions to the classic Charles Mingus recordings Mingus Ah Um and Blues & Roots....
— Blue ParlanBlue ParlanFrank-ly Speaking is an album by American jazz pianist Horace Parlan featuring performances recorded in 1978 and released on the Danish-based SteepleChase label.-Reception:...
(1978) - Joni MitchellJoni MitchellJoni Mitchell, CC is a Canadian musician, singer songwriter, and painter. Mitchell began singing in small nightclubs in her native Saskatchewan and Western Canada and then busking in the streets and dives of Toronto...
— MingusMingus (album)Mingus is the tenth studio album by Joni Mitchell, and a collaboration with jazz musician Charles Mingus. Recorded in the months before his death, it would be Mingus's final musical project; the album is wholly dedicated to him....
(1979) (including lyrics by Mitchell) - Gil EvansGil EvansGil Evans was a jazz pianist, arranger, composer and bandleader, active in the United States...
and the Monday Night Orchestra — Live at Sweet Basil (1984) - Laurel Massé — Alone Together (1984)
- Steve LacySteve LacySteve Lacy , born Steven Norman Lackritz in New York City, was a jazz saxophonist and composer recognized as one of the important players of soprano saxophone....
and Gil EvansGil EvansGil Evans was a jazz pianist, arranger, composer and bandleader, active in the United States...
— Paris Blues (1987) - Stanley ClarkeStanley ClarkeStanley Clarke is an American jazz musician and composer known for his innovative and influential work on double bass and electric bass guitar as well as for his numerous film and television scores...
— If This Bass Could Only TalkIf This Bass Could Only TalkIf This Bass Could Only Talk is a 1988 album by the American bassplayer Stanley Clarke.-Track listing:#"If This Bass Could Only Talk" – 2:30#"Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" – 6:24#"I Want to Play for Ya" – 3:22#"Stories to Tell" – 3:46...
(1988) - UzebUzebUZEB was a Canadian jazz fusion band from Montreal, Quebec, who were active from 1976 to 1992. The members were Alain Caron , Michel Cusson , and Paul Brochu . UZEB had a blend of skilled playing and modern synthesized timbres, along with an emphasis on original compositions...
— "Noisy Nights" (1988) - The Manhattan Project — The Manhattan ProjectThe Manhattan Project (album)The Manhattan Project is a jazz fusion album, the only recording to be made by a band of the same name comprising Wayne Shorter, Michel Petrucciani, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, Gil Goldstein and Pete Levin. The arrangements were written by Lenny White and Gil Goldstein, and the album was recorded...
(1990) - Bill MaysBill MaysWilliam Allen Mays , best known as Bill Mays, is a jazz pianist from Sacramento, California He came from a musical family and at fifteen he became interested in jazz at an Earl Hines concert....
and Ray Drummond — One To One 2 (1990) - Carla BleyCarla BleyCarla Bley, née Borg, is an American jazz composer, pianist, organist and band leader. An important figure in the Free Jazz movement of the 1960s, she is perhaps best known for her jazz opera Escalator Over The Hill , as well as a book of compositions that have been performed by many other...
— Big Band TheoryBig Band TheoryBig Band Theory is an album by American composer, bandleader and keyboardist Carla Bley recorded and released on the Watt/ECM label in 1993.-Reception:...
(1993) - Charles McPhersonCharles McPherson (musician)Charles McPherson is an American jazz alto saxophonist born in Joplin, Missouri and raised in Detroit, Michigan, most notable for his work from 1960-1972 with Charles Mingus....
— First Flight Out (1994) - Andy SummersAndy SummersAndy Summers is an English guitarist born in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England. Best known as the guitarist for rock band The Police, he has also recorded twelve solo albums, collaborated with many other artists, toured extensively under his own name, published several books, and composed...
— The Last Dance of Mr. X (1997) - Jay BeckensteinJay BeckensteinJay B. Beckenstein is a saxophone player, smooth jazz artist and together with Jeremy Wall founded Spyro Gyra...
— Eye Contact (2000) - Larry CoryellLarry CoryellLarry Coryell is an American jazz fusion guitarist.-Biography:Coryell was born in Galveston, Texas. He graduated from Richland High School, in Richland, Washington, where he played in local bands The Jailers, The Rumblers, The Royals, and The Flames. He also played with The Checkers from nearby...
— Coryells (2000) - Kevin MahoganyKevin MahoganyKevin Mahogany is an American jazz vocalist who became prominent in the 1990s. He is known for his scat singing, and his singing style has been compared with jazz singers Joe Williams and Johnny Hartman....
— Pussy Cat Dues (2000) (as part of "Mingus Medley") - Marcus MillerMarcus MillerMarcus Miller is an American jazz composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Miller is best known as a bassist, working with trumpeter Miles Davis, singer Luther Vandross, and saxophonist David Sanborn, as well as maintaining a prolific solo career...
— M²M² (album)M2 is a 2001 album by Marcus Miller, and the winner of the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album.-Track listing:All tracks composed by Marcus Miller; except where indicated# "Power" – 4:37# "Lonnie's Lament" – 5:39...
(2001) - Derek SherinianDerek SherinianDerek Sherinian is a rock keyboardist who has toured and recorded for Alice Cooper, Billy Idol, Yngwie Malmsteen, Kiss, and Alice In Chains. He was also a member of Dream Theater and is the founder of the instrumental metal-fusion band Planet X...
— InertiaInertia (Derek Sherinian album)Inertia is the second solo album by keyboard player Derek Sherinian. It features many guest musicians including Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips, Jerry Goodman, Zakk Wylde and Tony Franklin. Lukather was quoted at the time as saying that Inertia contained "the best guitar work I've ever recorded"...
(2001) - Paul MotianPaul MotianStephen Paul Motian was an American jazz drummer, percussionist and composer of Armenian extraction.He first came to prominence in the late 1950s in the piano trio of Bill Evans, and later led several groups...
— Garden of EdenGarden of Eden (album)Garden of Eden is an album by jazz drummer Paul Motian recorded in 2004 and released on the ECM label in 2005.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 4 stars stating "Motian has been on a creative and compositional tear, and has been since the mid-'80s...
(2006)