Mingus the Jazz Cat
Mingus the Jazz Cat (he/him) is the official mascot of Berklee. While his principal instrument is percussion, he’s been known to pick up a bass, guitar, or even trombone from time to time. He’s no lazy lap cat; with a knack for marketing, he is majoring in music business/management. And if you’ve ever seen Mingus at the function, you know he’s got moves—that’s from his minor in dance. While he may share a playful rivalry with Public Safety’s resource dog, Barklee, Mingus warmly welcomes both cat and dog lovers to Berklee’s campus.
History of Mingus
Mingus the Jazz Cat became Berklee's mascot in 2004, after students voted to name the new mascot after Charles Mingus (1922–1979), a bassist, bandleader, and composer widely considered one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time.
"It's not every day that you have a hip cat and a Berklee mascot named after a family member,” said Charles’s wife, Sue Mingus. “I think that I can say that Charles would be very pleased himself. He was a cat lover—not only the musical variety, but the mouse-chasing kind, too. He had a cat named Nightlife that he loved."
Mingus loved Nightlife so much that he even wrote a pamphlet about how he toilet trained him called The Charles Mingus CAT-alog. It took Nightlife only four weeks to learn the practice.
Berklee…Hockey?
Mingus’s hockey jersey isn’t just a fashion choice. The Berklee IceCats were a student-organized hockey team founded in 2005. They were coached by former Bruin and two-time Stanley Cup winner Johnny McKenzie. Mingus honors the team’s legacy with his game-worn jersey.
"People in class would say, 'What, Berklee has a hockey team?'" said John Kingsley BM ’08, who can be credited with spearheading the creation of the team. "The reality is, we're not going to be NHL players...we'll end up having a career in music."
Where to Meet Mingus
You can often find Mingus at admitted student events, and greeting new students during Orientation Week, as well as prospective student events like open houses.
On Mingus Mondays, you’ll find the jazz cat walking around campus, taking photos with students, handing out swag, and promoting events. And at the end of the year, mark your calendar for Mingus Madness, a themed dance party in the dining hall full of fun, festivities, and inflatables.
