More than a simple ''Mingus'' alumni (although that's already quite something), Mr ''Booker Telleferro Ervin II'' was a hard tenor blower, with a rooted, strong yet sensitive play, also competent on trombone - no wonder why ''Mingus'' hired him so often. His own sessions are of the highest interest, wether for ''Bethlehem'', ''Savoy'', ''Candid'' or ''Prestige'', and he ranks amongst the highly underrated musicians of the 60's (although he was successfull as a professional). This fact may be partly explained by his unfortunately premature death in 1970. While most people already heard him on ''Mingus''' records, ''Ervin's'' ''Freedom Book'' (Prestige) is both an excellent starter and a definitive record.