In 1960 bassist
Charles Mingus helped to organize an alternative Newport Jazz Festival in protest of Newport's conservative and increasingly commercial booking policy. The music on this LP (which has been reissued on CD) features some of the musicians who participated in
Mingus's worthy if short-lived venture. Trumpeter
Roy Eldridge performs three numbers with pianist
Tommy Flanagan,
Mingus and drummer
Jo Jones; of greatest interest is "Mysterious Blues" for it adds trombonist
Jimmy Knepper and the unique altoist
Eric Dolphy successfully to the group. The other selections match up drummers
Max Roach and Jo Jones with Roach's quintet (featuring trumpeter
Booker Little) on "Cliff Walk" and feature singer Abbey Lincoln on "Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do." ~ Scott Yanow