1049. CHARLES MINGUS (1922 - 1979) American jazz bass player, the first to exploit the bass as a solo instrument. Mingus was a major influence in jazz in the Fifties and Sixties, and his work remains most influential today. Important D.S. "Charles Mingus", 2pp. 4to., [n.p.], Jan. 3, 1974, the American Federation of Musicians contract between Mingus and Brazilian concert promoter Marco N. Viggiana in which Mingus is engaged for a "Concert tour of South America", performing eight times between August 1-12, 1974 for the sum of $20,000. On verso the band is listed, including Mingus, Dannie Richmond, Don Pullen, George Adams and Hamiet Bluiett. Boldly signed by Mingus and the promoter on recto at bottom. Staple holes at upper-left, else very good. Sold with various telegrams and correspondence from the files of Mingus' booking agent, Jack Whittemore, illustrating the great difficulty the parties had in pulling off the concert. The tour, which visited Rio, Sao Paolo, Belo Horizonte and Brasilia, was originally scheduled for July 10-22, was then thought to have been suddenly canceled, only to be resurrected through the intervention of the A.F.M., the Jazz Workshop, and other concerned parties. Very good. $1,000 - 1,200