NoHo in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Charles Mingus (1922-1979)

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 19, 2025

1. Charles Mingus (1922-1979) Marker

Inscription.
Legendary jazz composer, bandleader, multi-instrumentalist, and social activist Charles Mingus lived here in 1966. A towering figure in American music, he fused and transcended musical genres, and pushed the boundaries of bass playing and collective improvisation. A frequent performer at both major music festivals and renowned local jazz venues, Mingus created music noted for its experimentation and breathtaking melodic, rhythmic, and structural originality.

Erected 2023 by Village Preservation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1966.

Location. 40° 43.644′ N, 73° 59.648′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in NoHo. It is on Great Jones Street west of Lafayette Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5 Great Jones Street, New York NY 10012, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 376-380 Lafayette Street (within shouting distance of this marker); ASHRAE Centennial 1894-95 – 1994-95 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); De Vinne Press Building (about 400 feet away); The Weitz & Luxenberg Building (about 400 feet away); Firehouse Engine Company No. 33 (about 400 feet away); Engine 33 and Ladder 9 (about 500 feet away); Merchant’s House Museum (about 500 feet away); Manuel Plaza (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Also see . . .
1. Charles Mingus (Wikipedia). Overview:

Charles Mingus Jr. (April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979) was an American jazz upright bassist, composer, bandleader, pianist, and author. A major proponent of
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 19, 2025

2. Charles Mingus (1922-1979) Marker - wide view
collective improvisation, he is considered one of the greatest jazz musicians and composers in history, with a career spanning three decades and collaborations with other jazz greats such as Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Max Roach, and Eric Dolphy. Mingus's work ranged from advanced bebop and avant-garde jazz with small and midsize ensembles to pioneering the post-bop style on seminal recordings like Pithecanthropus Erectus (1956) and Mingus Ah Um (1959) and progressive big band experiments such as The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (1963).

(Submitted on October 20, 2025.)

2. Plaque Unveiling for Charles Mingus, 5/31/23 (Youtube, 54:41). Description:

“On Wednesday, May 31, 2023, Village Preservation unveiled a plaque to commemorate Charles Mingus at his NoHo residence. A legendary jazz composer, bandleader, and multi-instrumentalist, Charles Mingus created music noted for its experimentation and breathtaking melodic, rhythmic, and structural originality.

Village Preservation Director of Special Projects Juan Rivero and Executive Director Andrew Berman, as well as Mingus friend and memoirist Janet Coleman and longtime
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 19, 2025

3. Charles Mingus (1922-1979) Marker - wider view
posthumous Mingus band members Mike Richmond, Scott Robinson, and Frank Lacy celebrated his life, music, and legacy. Richmond, Robinson, and Lacy performed a Mingus composition in his honor.”

(Submitted on October 20, 2025.)

Charles Mingus - Bi Centenial, Lower Manhattan July 4, 1976 image. Click for full size.

courtesy Wikimedia Commons under CC 2.0 license, July 4, 1976

4. Charles Mingus - Bi Centenial, Lower Manhattan July 4, 1976

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 66 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 20, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.