Sue Graham Mingus & Laurie Pepper

Fred Kaplan talks to the widows of the bassist Charles Mingus and the saxophonist Art Pepper on the occasion of the release of previously unknown live recordings ("Cornell 1964"; "Unreleased Art") ( New York Times ). One has to be pretty obsessed with what one does, says Laurie Pepper who deals with her husband's musical legacy. Sue Graham Mingus agrees. While her husband was still alive she only occasionally got involved in his career. After his death she founded the Mingus Dynasty Band, later the Mingus Big Band. At the age of 77 she slowly hands over some of her tasks to selected musicians and engaged an agency to organize the bands' tours. Laurie persuaded Art Pepper in the 70s to write down his experiences with his drug addiction for a book. Last year she founded her own record label, Widow's Taste. The release of recordings by her husband is her way to stay connected with him forever.