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Farewell to Mingus is the eighth studio recording released by the Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band. The album received a 1980 Grammy award nomination for “Best Jazz Instrumental Performance – Big Band.”

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow:
The title cut of this Ascent LP is an emotional farewell to Charles Mingus. The Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band (which during the era mostly recorded for the co-leaders’ Ascent label) is in superb form throughout the date. They also perform “After Mr. Teng” (a stomp based on the chords of “Strike Up the Band”), “Song for the Harvest,” the Latin-flavored “Shades of Yellow” and “Autumn Sea” (a ballad feature for Tabackin’s Asian-sounding flute). Among the many soloists are Akiyoshi (taking an opening piano solo on “After Mr. Teng”), trumpeter Steve Huffsteter, both Tabackin and John Gross on tenors (they engage in a heated battle on “After Mr. Teng”), and altoist Dan Higgins. This LP, as with all of this band’s Ascent releases, is well worth searching for.

Track listing:
All songs composed and arranged by Toshiko Akiyoshi

Side A

“After Mr. Teng” – 8:46
“Song for the Harvest” – 6:47
“Shades of Yellow” – 6:09

Side B

“Autumn Sea” – 8:46
“Farewell (to Mingus)” – 10:13

Personnel:
Toshiko Akiyoshi – piano
Lew Tabackin – tenor saxophone and flute
John Gross – tenor saxophone
Dan Higgens – alto saxophone
Gary Foster – alto saxophone
Bill Byrne – baritone saxophone
Buddy Childers – trumpet
Steven Huffsteter – trumpet
Larry Ford – trumpet
Mike Price – trumpet
Rick Culver – trombone
Hart Smith – trombone
Bruce Fowler – trombone
Phil Teele – bass trombone
Bob Bowman – bass
Steve Haughton – drums

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Released: 1980
Recorded: Devonshire Recording Studio, Los Angeles, California, 1980 January 10, January 11
Length: 40:41
Label: Victor (Japan) / Ascent
Producer: Toshiko Akiyoshi and Lew Tabackin