In 1960, celebrated jazz critic Nat Hentoff called Charles Mingus to record a number of sessions for the new Candid label. Mingus was given absolute freedom on these sessions. The results of the first date were issued on the celebrated Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus, which appears here in its entirety along with two additional tracks that complete the session. The band consists of a pianoless quartet with trumpeter Ted Curson, alto saxophonist Eric Dolphy (who also plays bass clarinet on one track), Mingus on bass and veteran Mingus drummer Dannie Richmond.