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
,
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