Description
This is the first album from Scenes in the City, a band assembled by bassist Arnie Somogyi and dedicated to performing the works of jazz great Charles Mingus. On 'The Man Who Never Sleeps' the fiery sax section of Alan Barnes and Tony Kolfi with Jimmy Knepper inspired trombonist Jeremy Price delight in the riotous swing of the rhythm section of Mark Edwards piano, Arnie on bass and Clark Tracey on drums.
The music ranges from the wild, unfettered blues of "Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting", through a nod in the direction of free jazz "What Love" to tender Ballads "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" and the title track "The Man Who Never Sleeps", a theme Mingus himself never recorded. The band has been bringing the house down at festivals and the same spirit is very much caught on this "live in the studio" recording.
Personnel: Arnie Somogyi (double bass), Alan Barnes (alto and tenor saxophones), Tony Kofi (alto and baritone saxophones), Jeremy Price (trombone), Mark Edwards (piano), Clark Tracey (drums)