album · September 1, 1957

The Clown

Charles Mingus

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This 1957 album, released on Atlantic Records, features the title track, a spoken-word-and-jazz collaboration with narrator Jean Shepherd.

• The 1957 album "The Clown" was Mingus's second release for Atlantic Records.
• The title track features narration by Jean Shepherd, a radio personality and author.
• "The Clown" reached number 27 on Billboard's Top Jazz Albums chart in 1957.

Charles Mingus was an American bassist, composer, and bandleader associated with the hard bop and post-bop scenes. He was known for his virtuosic bass playing and innovative compositional style. "The Clown" was released during a period of intense creative output for Mingus, following his move to Atlantic Records and the acclaimed "Pithecanthropus Erectus."