I’ve read that the ultra-temperamental Mingus walked out of the sessions several times in frustration.
Duke, Monk, and Mingus (in that order) were the three greatest jazz composers, imo. Monk and Mingus had screws loose, but they were brilliant.
As far as sax players go, my faves include (in no particular order): Johnny Hodges, Coleman Hawkins, John Gilmore, Pat Patrick (father of former MA Gov., Deval Patrick), Stan Getz, Don Byas, Harry Carney, Pepper Adams, …among others.
Roach punched Ornette Coleman after hearing one of his concerts.