Eric Mingus "Child as target"

Eric Mingus was born in New York. He grew up through a maze of twists and turns, some musical, some just bizarre. There was the teenage gig as a lighting and stage director for a "Borscht Belt" resort hotel, an early stint as an amateur boxer, and of course, three months spent as house martini mixer in the boardroom of the Old Grandad whiskey company.

All along, music was a staple. After studying voice and bass with various luminaries of the music world and a brief semester at Berklee college of music, Eric sought the education of the road, touring as a vocalist.

This was also the period where Eric made his first recordings; Karen Mantler And Her Cat Arnold (XTRAWATT) and Mingus Dynasty Next Generation (Columbia). Moving to London in 1994, Eric met trumpeter Jim Dvorak and they formed a poetry based duet which resulted in the recording of This Isn't Sex (SLAM Records UK).

Eric worked in many major European venues, including The Jazz Cafe, London; Quasimodo, Berlin; and Momontra, Copenhagen. He also played at all of the major European jazz festivals. Additionally, Eric taught vocal improvisation classes and a Charles Mingus workshop at London's Community Music House.

Upon returning to the United States in 1996 Eric was signed to the independent label Some Records, culminating in the release of the CD Um...Er..Uh... Eric toured successfully several times in support of this release highlighted by his billing at the Olympia in Paris. Known for featuring performers from history such as The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, Eric has also gained notoriety for working with famed producer Hal Willner on such projects as The Poe Project, two benefits for the Poetry Project (The Music of Doc Pomus and the writing of the Marquis De Sade) and A Tribute to Harry Smith (in support of the Harry Smith archives) having performed in these concerts (including one at the Royal Festival Hall) Eric was able to collaborate with an eclectic group of musicians, Marianne Faithful, Beck, Todd Rundgren, Jarvis Cocker, Nick Cave, Beth Orton and Elvis Costello to name but a few.

Eric Mingus has been featured in Vibe, Rolling Stone, Paper, and Bass Player magazines. He can often be heard playing with his quartet in New York City at such clubs as Joe's Pub, The Knitting Factory, Tonic and The Cutting Room.

Echoing Marvin Gaye crooning about death and taxes, or Gil Scott-Heron looking for Whitey on the Moon, Mingus is bleakly sweet, slyly political, pissed off and informed. You will find blues, hints of jazz, a touch of electronics, a dash of R&B, and a bit of wailing rock. He sings deep and s oulful. Sweet and innocent. Harsh and devilish. He speaks words written from his soul.

Child As Target