5 Things to Know About 'Goodbye Pork Pie Hat'

It is one of Charles Mingus’s most covered compositions. The piece is an elegy for saxophonist Lester Young.

Joni Mitchell later added lyrics to the song. Her version appears on her 1979 album Mingus.

The original instrumental version appears on Mingus’s 1959 album Mingus Ah Um. It is one of his most famous and enduring works.

The title refers to Young’s signature pork pie hat. Young was known for wearing this style of hat.

The piece has been recorded by dozens of artists across jazz, rock, and other genres. Its melodic and emotional depth makes it a favorite for reinterpretation.