Tune of the Week: Money Jungle

Here’s a little experiment with a seemingly terrible idea: put three genius bandleaders in the same room and make some music together. By the time Money Jungle was recorded in 1962, Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus and Max Roach were all successful composers, musicians and bandleaders. What could go wrong? The tension apparently hit a threshold after recording this tune, leading Mingus to storm out of the studio with bass in hand. Ellington caught him at the elevator and successfully talked him back into the session. While to can often bust pipes, pressure can also create diamonds. All the awkwardness was worth it in the long run. This album has gone on to inspire a great deal of future musicians.