Goodbye Pork Pie Hat

Charles Mingus · 1959

Context

Composed by Charles Mingus as a tribute to Lester Young, who died shortly before the session, and recorded on May 12, 1959, for the album Mingus Ah Um (Columbia, produced by Teo Macero). The theme became a standard; Joni Mitchell set lyrics to it on her album Mingus (1979), and Mingus re-recorded it under the title Theme for Lester Young.

In the genealogy of jazz

This track belongs to Hard bop, Free jazz. Among the origins and influences of Hard bop: Blues, spirituals, work songs, Bebop (Minton's, Monroe's).

Cited in 1 radio episode

• Oct 7, 2026: GOODBYE PORK PIE HAT - REQUIEM POUR UNE TOURTE (Anatomie d'un titre, TSF Jazz, in French)

By the same artist

• Fables of Faubus (1959)
• Better Git It in Your Soul (1959)
• Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting (1959)
• Sue's Changes (1974)

Sources

• EN: Mingus Ah Um
• EN: Goodbye Pork Pie Hat

Jazzency text written from these pages. Method and licenses