Fables of Faubus

Charles Mingus · 1959

Context

Composition by Charles Mingus, written against Arkansas governor Orval Faubus, who had tried in 1957 to prevent the integration of public high schools in Little Rock. Because Columbia refused the lyrics, the version on Mingus Ah Um (May 1959) is instrumental; a vocal version, "Original Faubus Fables," was recorded in October 1960 for Candid. Mingus played the theme very often afterward, on record and in concert.

In the genealogy of jazz

This track belongs to Free jazz, Hard bop. Among the origins and influences of Free jazz: Tristano School, Bebop (Minton's, Monroe's), Modal.

By the same artist

• Goodbye Pork Pie Hat (1959)
• Better Git It in Your Soul (1959)
• Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting (1959)
• Sue's Changes (1974)

Sources

• EN: Fables of Faubus
• EN: Mingus Ah Um

Jazzency text written from these pages. Method and licenses