The Yale Jazz Ensemble, led by Music Director David M. Brandenburg, will open for the Mingus Big Band on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, Charles Mingus' birthday, at 6:30 pm at the Iridium Jazz Club (1650 Broadway at 51st Street).  The Ensemble will be joined by special guest Niko Higgins, saxophone.  There is a $10 minimum with no cover charge.  (There is an additional charge to stay for the Mingus Big Band.)  Call (212) 582-2121 or visit iridiumjazzclub.com for more information.

Founded in 1991, the Mingus Big Band performs the music of legendary composer and bassist Charles Mingus.  Under the artistic direction of Sue Mingus, the group tours widely in the United States and abroad, and has recorded nine albums, six of which have been nominated for GRAMMY Awards.  Since 2004, the Mingus Big Band has performed every Tuesday night at the Iridium Jazz Club, which has been hailed by New York Magazine as "New York's Best Jazz Club".

Niko Higgins is a saxophonist and composer who lives in New York City where he leads the Niko Higgins Ensemble.  His two albums, "Inbetween" (2003) and "From Eye to Ear" (2006), are released by Engine Studios.

The Yale Jazz Ensemble (YJE) is an eighteen-piece big band that performs a wide variety of music, from Yale's Benny Goodman archive to the newest and most progressive jazz compositions.  The Ensemble has performed extensively in the United States and internationally at such venues as New York's Village Vanguard and London's Ronnie Scott's.  The YJE has performed with or opened for The Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, the Toshiko Akiyoshi/Lew Tabackin Big Band, the World Saxophone Quartet, Jane Ira Bloom, Jimmy Owens, and Branford Marsalis.