The Witzard

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Hard Bop, Booze & 26 Hookers: Charles Mingus - "Take The 'A" Train" (BBNG Excerpt)


Who would you rather challenge to a drinking competition: Tom Waits or Charles Mingus?

"From what I know about Charles Mingus, he was one of the most fucking badass Jazz musicians of all time. I think I read in his book that he slept with nine hookers in one night or some shit, pretty crazy. Have you seen the video of him with a shotgun where the cops are trying to evict him from his house? [...] I also heard this story about how he drank a ton of wine once before a show. One of his horn players screwed up and he literally picked up his upright bass and hit him with it."

- BADBADNOTGOOD