The Clown (album)


The Clown is a studio album by the jazz bassist and composer Charles Mingus. It was released in September 1957 through Atlantic Records. The recording took place on February 13 and March 12, 1957. The title track features the improvised narration of Jean Shepherd.
According to Nat Hentoff's liner notes, Mingus explained why he chose those four tracks for the album: "I selected these four over two others that were more intricate because some of those guys had been saying that I didn't Swing (jazz [performance style)|swing]. So I made some that did. This album also has the first blues I've made on record."

Track listing

All tracks written by Charles Mingus.
  1. "Haitian Fight Song" - 12:01
  2. "Blue Cee" - 7:48
  3. "Reincarnation of a Lovebird" - 8:31
  4. "The Clown" - 12:29

Deluxe Edition bonus tracks

  1. "Passions of a Woman Loved" - 9:52
  2. "Tonight at Noon" - 5:57

Personnel