Mingus

Overview

“I play what I am. I play Mingus.” This comics biography tells the troubled life, the battles against racism, the brilliant music of a master who has left an indelible mark on the jazz scene, and beyond. From his beginnings in Los Angeles in the 1940s to his heartbreaking end in Mexico, the story of a man of indomitable and rebellious talent who crossed styles while always remaining himself, in perpetual struggle against a society that wanted him marginalized and subordinated.

Reviews

"This intensely personal assessment and interpretation is less a biography and more a heartfelt paean of appreciation, channeling and exploring the hard, harsh tone of troubled times where talented, dogged souls fought for recognition and survival in a world determined to exploit and consume them." —Comics Reviews

"This title will appeal to jazz fans, especially those knowledgeable of Mingus’ career." —Booklist

"This impressionistic, interpretive biography of Charles Mingus (1922–79), jazz giant and volatile personality, is visually dazzling...One can almost hear the music while reading the panels." —Library Journal

"Massarutto and Squaz are true to their structure throughout, expressing the vibrant possibilities of jazz via constantly shifting moods and approaches." —Ian Keogh, The Slings and Arrows Reviews 

"Fascinating, informative, entertaining, Mingus is especially and unreservedly recommended as a 'must read' pick for the legions of Charles Mingus jazz fans." —James A. Cox, Library Bookwatch Reviews 

"[The authors] do an absolutely amazing job at making Charles Mingus' musical art their art, too...This graphic novel shares some insights into an amazing jazz composer and human being." —Karen Maeda, Sequential Tart Reviews 

Author Biography

Flavio Massaruto writes for comics and is involved in jazz. Squaz is the pen name for Pasquale Todisco, an Italian comic artist with a very hard-edged expressionistic style of art reminiscent of the famous Argentine artist Jose Munoz.