Charles Mingus: Triumph of the Underdog(1997)

Charles Mingus: Triumph of the Underdog Synopsis

Don McGlynn's uncompromising and soulful documentary look at the tumultuous life of musician and rebel Charles Mingus is fascinating stuff. Mingus said of himself "I am half black man, half yellow man, but I claim to be a Negro. I am Charles Mingus, the famed jazz musician--but not famed enough to make a living in America." His statement summed up the conflict that plagued this musical genius his entire life: volatility, pain, prescience, and raw rage roiled inside a complex man, composer, bass player, and trombonist who transcended labels and refused to be pigeonholed into a single musical style--and who did not achieve real fame until late in his career.

Charles Mingus: Triumph of the Underdog (1997) is a music and documentary film directed by Don McGlynn, released on January 1, 1997 with a runtime of 1h 18m. It stars Charles Mingus, Gunther Schuller, Wynton Marsalis and Sue Mingus. Viewers rate it 7.5 out of 10 across 2 ratings.