Despite its title, this album doesn't contain poetry, nor is it a "symposium." What it does have is a memorable narration by
Lonnie Elder
on
"Scenes in the City"
(one of the best collaborations of spoken word and jazz). There are four obscure
Charles Mingus
compositions for his sextet (which consists of the bassist/leader, trombonist
Jimmy Knepper
,
Shafi Hadi
on tenor and alto, either
Bill Hardman
or
Clarence Shaw
on trumpet, pianist
Horace Parlan
, and drummer
Dannie Richmond
). There are also three previously unreleased performances, including a run-through of
Dizzy Gillespie
's
"Wouldn't You."
An excellent set of challenging yet often accessible music. ~ Scott Yanow