A masterpiece from Gerry Mulligan – and one of those key 60s albums that marks such a huge shift in his sound from the 50s! The approach here is very cool and compressed – but not in an LA "cool jazz" way – as the music has a more urbane, sophisticated vibe that's very much in keeping with the cover – as Gerry both blows baritone and plays piano with this spare sensitivity that's perfectly matched by group mates who include Art Farmer on trumpet and flugelhorn, Jim Hall on guitar, and Bob Brookmeyer on trombone! The use of Hall and Farmer is especially key here – as the pair bring in those soulful yet airy sounds they were crafting on their own records – given superb rhythm support from Bill Crow on bass and Dave Bailey on drums. The whole thing is a master class in understated genius – and titles include "Night Lights", "Prelude In E Minor", "Tell Me When", "Festive Minor", and "Morning Of The Carnival". LP, Vinyl record album

A masterpiece from Gerry Mulligan – and one of those key 60s albums that marks such a huge shift in his sound from the 50s! The approach here is very cool and compressed – but not in an LA "cool jazz" way – as the music has a more urbane, sophisticated vibe that's very much in keeping with the cover – as Gerry both blows baritone and plays piano with this spare sensitivity that's perfectly matched by group mates who include Art Farmer on trumpet and flugelhorn, Jim Hall on guitar, and Bob Brookmeyer on trombone! The use of Hall and Farmer is especially key here – as the pair bring in those soulful yet airy sounds they were crafting on their own records – given superb rhythm support from Bill Crow on bass and Dave Bailey on drums. The whole thing is a master class in understated genius – and titles include "Night Lights", "Prelude In E Minor", "Tell Me When", "Festive Minor", and "Morning Of The Carnival". LP, Vinyl record album

A strong 50s session from Gerry – a bit like some of his work for the Pacific Jazz label, but perhaps a bit more biting and modern. The group's a sextet with Jon Eardley on trumpet, Zoot Sims on tenor, Dave Bailey on drums, Bob Brookmeyer on trombone, and Peck Morrison on bass – and titles include "Nights At The Turntable", "Mud Bug", "Bernie's Tune", and "Apple Core". LP, Vinyl record album

Mulligan plays with his orchestra, with featured soloists including Keith O'Quinn on trombone, Mitchel Forman on piano, Mike Bocchicchio on bass, Barry Ries and Tom Harrell on trumpet, Gerry Niewood and Ken Hitchcock on alto, and Gary Keller on tenor. LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful pairing of the baritone of Gerry Mulligan and the trumpet of Art Farmer – brought together wonderfully in this piano-less session that has both players effortlessly carving lines in the open space of the studio. Rhythm is by the team of Bill Crow on bass and Dave Bailey on drums – both of whom snap along a harder groove than you'll hear on most of Mulligan's mid 50s work – making for a set that's got as much going on at the bottom as it does at the top, in a way that allows Gerry and Art to concentrate on lyrical interplay while the rhythms open up. Titles include "Utter Chaos", "Blueport", "What Is There To Say", "Festive Minor", and "As Catch Can". LP, Vinyl record album

One of our favorite-ever team up classics on Verve Records – a completely sublime meeting between aging tenor genius Ben Webster and younger baritone magician Gerry Mulligan – both players here who really seem to rise up even more than usual in the company of each other! The set's maybe one of Ben's best for Verve during this stretch – performed with a stunning tone, and that soulful, sensitive swing that he virtually invented – which also seems to bring out some different qualities in Mulligan's horn, maybe in part because there's also great piano work in the group from Jimmy Rowles, who's a subtle but key part of the session. Other players include Leroy Vinnegar on bass and Mel Lewis on drums – and titles include "Tell Me When", "Go Home", "The Cat Walk", "Sunday", "Chelsea Bridge", and "Who's Got Rhythm". LP, Vinyl record album

Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax and Chet Baker on trumpet joined by Bobby Whitlock, Carson Smith and Henry Grimes on bass, and Chico Hamilton, Larry Bunker, and Dave Bailey on drums. CD

A surprisingly wonderful 70s meeting between Gerry Mulligan & Chet Baker – recorded live, with sweet electric touches from CTI – in a style that shouldn't work so well, but which really comes off great! The approach is simple – Mulligan and Baker solo in a manner that's a bit like their 50s work, but which also unfolds more than usual with backing from a group that includes Bob James on electric piano, Ron Carter on bass, John Scofield on guitar, and Harvey Mason on drums. Tracks are long, with lots of space – hanging in a beautiful balance between electric and acoustic sounds. Titles include "It's Sandy At The Beach", "Bernie's Tune", "K-4 Pacific" and "There Will Never Be Another You". LP, Vinyl record album

2LP set released in the 70's featuring work from both of these West Coast giants. The first half focuses on recordings of Gerry Mulligan working with a strong early group – Chet Baker on trumpet, Chico Hamilton on drums, and Carson Smith on bass – on 4 tracks recorded in San Francisco, and 4 others recorded slightly later in LA. The tunes are short, piano-less, and have that fluid 50s Mulligan groove – and titles include "Turnstile", "Limelight", "Carioca", "Bark For Barksdale", and "Line For Lyons". Also included are recordings that feature Gerry's own group – an ensemble that features Nick Travis on trumpet, Allen Eager on tenor, and George Wallington on piano – on all original Mulligan titles that include "Ide's Side", "Bweebida Bobbida", "Kaper", "Funhouse", and "Mulligan's Too". The second half of this set contains material recorded for Prestige by Chet Baker in 1964. Baker plays fluegelhorn, and he's backed by a fairly soulful combo that includes George Coleman on tenor, Kirk Lightsey on piano, Herman Wright on bass, and Roy Brooks on drums. The set grooves in a way that few other Chet Baker albums do, which is something you might expect from a record that has tracks with titles like "Go Go", "Bevan Beeps", and "Rearin' Back". LP, Vinyl record album

The first-ever album on Pacific Jazz – and a real doozy too! The record's something of a blueprint for west coast jazz of the 50s – and features Mulligan in a pianoless quartet with Chet Baker on trumpet, Chico Hamilton on drums, and Bob Whitlock on bass – running through tunes that have a fluidly grooving approach and a masterful sense of economy, one that's emphasized even more on the shortness of the 10" LP – a nice change from some of those overstuffed Mulligan CDs that sometimes get us a bit lost in the 20-plus tracklist! Titles include classics "Freeway", "Walkin Shoes", "Bernie's Tune", "Nights At The Turntable", and "Soft Shoe". LP, Vinyl record album

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Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, with Chet Baker on trumpet, Bobby Witlock and Carson Smith on bass, and Chico Hamilton and Larry Bunker on drums. CD

A lot nicer than you might think – very well-conceived, with some originals by Mulligan, too! Titles include "Gone", "Soft Lights & Sweet Music", "Noblesse", and "Ghosts". CD

27 original mono recordings! CD

Early 70s Capitol collection – includes a 50s cooker from Gerry Mulligan – working here with a real birth of the cool-styled group that includes Chet Baker and Pete Candoli on trumpets, Bud Shank on alto, John Graas on French horn, Bob Enevoldsen on trombone, and Chico Hamilton on drums – a really wonderful group that has a swing that's might lighter than you might guess from its size! The set is nicely arranged throughout – an early example of Gerry's powers in this respect – with plenty of thought in each tune, yet never so much so that the proceedings get too academic. Titles include "Rocker", "Walking Shoes", "Simbah", "Ontet", "Westwood Walk", "A Ballad", "Taking A Chance On Love", and "Flash". Also includes late 40s EPs by Stan Hasselgard & His All Star Six, and the Red Norvo Septet! LP, Vinyl record album

The product of three sets at the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival, side one features piano man Oscar Peterson and his trio performing "Will You Still Be Mine", "Joy Spring", Glenn Miller's "A Gal In Calico", and "52nd Street Theme". Side two features Gerry Mulligan playing baritone with the Teddy Wilson Trio on "Sweet Georgia Brown", and Mulligan's quartet, including Dave Bailey on drums and Joe Benjamin on bass, working "My Funny Valentine" and "Utter Chaos". LP, Vinyl record album

Two different sides of Verve Records in the 50s – one modern, one a bit more traditional – and both represented in live material from the Newport Jazz Festival in 1957! Side one features a stunning live performance from pianist Teddy Wilson – working in a tight trio with Milt Hinton on bass and Spec Powell on drums – and really blowing away any conceptions we might have had about Wilson being aging or flowery at the time. Instead, he's got a sharp edge and command of the keys that's amazing – and which almost seems to have a bit more bite than usual in this concert setting. Titles include "Stompin At The Savoy", "Basin Street Blues", and "Airmail Special" – and Gerry Mulligan joins the group on baritone for a reading of "Sweet Georgia Brown". Mulligan then takes off with his own group, in a completely different format – no piano at all, just beautiful work from Joe Benjamin on bass and Dave Bailey on drums – and sublime sounds from Bob Brookmeyer's valve trombone, which is a perfect match for Gerry's deep tones. The group plays long takes on "My Funny Valentine" and "Utter Chaos". LP, Vinyl record album

An unlikely pair, but a great one here – and the record's one of those few magical moments where bringing together unusual partners actually works! Mulligan's cool hardly seems a match for Monk's angular modernism, but together the players seem to strike a middle ground that resonates with the strength of both – a sound that cuts a bit more edge on Gerry's normally smooth baritone, and which still lets Monk's keys flow into wonderful twists and turns. Rhythm is by the great bassist Wilbur Ware and drummer Shadow Wilson – and titles include the Monk classics "Straight No Chaser", "Rhythm A Ning", "Round Midnight", and "I Mean You" – plus a version of Mulligan's "Decidedly". CD

Volume 2 of a classic live album by Gerry – expanded to include the entire concert recorded in December of 1954 in San Diego. The group's a great one – and features Zoot Sims, Bob Brookmeyer, Larry Bunker, Red Mitchell, and Jon Eardley – and this version is expanded a lot from the original album, with 14 titles that include "Nights At The Turntable", "Blues For Tiny", "Frenesi", "Limelight", "The Red Door", "Western Reunion", and "I Know Don't Know Why". CD

A very comprehensive issue of some key sessions from 1952 and 1953! The set includes lots of material that was originally issued on 10" LPs and 7" Eps – and includes unreleased tracks too! CD

A killer collection of this unique musical moment from Gerry Mulligan – with material that appeared on the albums Concert Jazz Band, Concert Jazz Band At The Village Vanguard, A Concert In Jazz, Concert Jazz Band On Tour Guest Soloist Zoot Sims, and Gerry Mulligan 63 – plus unissued tracks, too! CD

Gerry Mulligan meets up with a great array of 50s modernists here – in specially setting dedicated to all Mulligan-penned compositions! Although a radical player himself on the baritone sax, Gerry also added something strong to the 50s jazz catalog with his great tunes from the early days – gently modern numbers that slowly became standards over the years, thanks to respect from other players. The best of these tracks are showcased here – played by Mulligan with a sax section that includes Zoot Sims on alto and tenor, Al Cohn on tenor and baritone, Lee Konitz on alto, and Allan Eager on alto and tenor. Rhythm is by the piano-less section of Freddie Green on guitar, Henry Grimes on bass, and Dave Bailey on drums – and titles include "Venus De Milo", "Revelation", "Sextet", "Turnstyle", "Four & One More", "Crazy Day", and "Disc Jockey Jump". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic pairing – the deep baritone of Gerry Mulligan and the crispy alto of Paul Desmond – set up in some great Dave Brubeck arrangements in a combo that also features Jack Six on bass and Alan Dawson on drums! Dawson brings an unexpected groove at times – and some of the longer tracks are really wonderful. LP, Vinyl record album

An all-star session put together by Verve in 1958 – one that features a septet of some of the label's biggest giants in jazz at the time! The format here is a bit open-ended – almost like some of the earlier JATP sessions on Verve – with lots of room for personal interaction between the soloists, especially the horn players in the lead! These include Stan Getz on tenor, Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, and Harry Edison on trumpet – working alongside Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, Ray Brown on bass, and Louis Bellson on drums. Titles include a beautiful extended "Ballad Medley" – really a great illustration of the freedoms that Verve brought to jazz recording in the 50s – plus the titles"Chocolate Sundae", "When Your Lover Has Gone", and "Candy". LP, Vinyl record album

Rare work from the earliest years of bebop – an album that brings together material that was originally issued as 78rpm recordings on the Sittin In With label! These sides are a great complement to better-known material on labels like Prestige and Savoy from the time – as they feature formative performances by artists who'd go on to shape modern jazz in the postwar years – already sounding pretty revolutionary here! The album features early performances by Stan Getz on tenor with Jimmy Raney on guitar and Al Haig on piano – on titles "As I Live In Bop", "Diaper Pin", and "Interlude In Bebop"; Paul Quinichette plays tenor with Freddie Green on guitar and Kenny Drew on piano – on "Sleepy Time Gal" and "Birdland Jump"; Wardell Gray blows tenor with Al Haig on piano, on "Stoned"; and the set even features vocal tracks – Jimmy Raney duetting with Terry Swope on "Talk A Little Bop" and "In A Little Spanish Town" – and a pre-LHR vocal group with Dave Lambert, Buddy Stewart, and Blossom Dearie – on "Hot Halvah" and "In The Merry Land Of Bop". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic live album by Gerry – featuring one set of tracks recorded in Stockton, CA in 1954, with Chico Hamilton, Red Mitchell, and Jon Eardley; and another recorded in San Diego the same year, with Zoot Sims, Bob Brookmeyer, Larry Bunker, Red Mitchell, and Eardley. Gerry even plays a bit on the piano, despite its absence from his other work – and titles include "Western Reunion", "Little Girl Blue", "Blues Going Up", and "The Red Door". LP, Vinyl record album

A rare live date from Gerry Mulligan – recorded at the Salle Pleyel, with a group that also features Bob Brookmeyer on trombone, Red Mitchell on bass, and Frank Isola on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

Features material recorded with Ben Webster, Stan Getz, Paul Desmond, Johnny Hodges, and Zoot Sims CD

There are a huge number of players joining Mulligan and his baritone sax on this record including Ollie Wilson; trumpet, Allen Eager; tenor sax, Phil Leshin; bass, George Wallington; piano and Jerry Hurwitz on trumpet. All the compositions are Mulligan originals and include "Funhouse", "Kaper", "Mullenium", and "Ide's House." Side two is one long track called "Mulligan's Too." LP, Vinyl record album

A pretty great little album – and very different than Gerry Mulligan's regular sides from the time! The session was originally produced as part of the sessions for the short-lived Jazztime label in the early 60s – and was produced by Dave Bailey with a soulful undercurrent that's quite similar to his own sessions from the period. Gerry's really shaking free of the "cool" cliches for the record – working with a deeply grooving rhythm section that includes Bailey on drums, Ben Tucker on bass, and Tommy Flanagan on piano – making a key return of piano to a Gerry Mulligan session! Alec Dorsey's also in the group on conga – adding a nice little extra kick to a few of the best tunes on the set – and Gerry himself is playing baritone with a style that's as fluid as on his freer-floating 50s recordings, but which also hits more of a rolling sort of tenor groove! Titles include "Get Out Of Town", "Blue Boy", "Capricious", "Here I'll Stay", and "Inside Impromptu". CD

A pretty obscure session by Gerry – recorded in 1955, and featuring Jon Eardly on trumpet, Zoot Sims on tenor, and Bob Brookmeyer on trombone. Gerry actually plays a bit of piano, in addition to his usual baritone – and the set bubbles with a lightly swinging, slightly modern feel that's nice and clean. Titles include "Makin Whoopee", "Demanton", "La Plus Que Lente", and a pretty great "Duke Ellington Medley". LP, Vinyl record album

One of our favorite-ever team up classics on Verve Records – a completely sublime meeting between aging tenor genius Ben Webster and younger baritone magician Gerry Mulligan – both players here who really seem to rise up even more than usual in the company of each other! The set's maybe one of Ben's best for Verve during this stretch – performed with a stunning tone, and that soulful, sensitive swing that he virtually invented – which also seems to bring out some different qualities in Mulligan's horn, maybe in part because there's also great piano work in the group from Jimmy Rowles, who's a subtle but key part of the session. Other players include Leroy Vinnegar on bass and Mel Lewis on drums – and titles include "Tell Me When", "Go Home", "The Cat Walk", "Sunday", "Chelsea Bridge", and "Who's Got Rhythm". LP, Vinyl record album

A complicated suite of tunes performed with Mulligan and Brookmeyer in the lead – and some occasional solos by Sunkel on cornet! The overall feel steps strongly from both Mulligan and Brookmeyer's styles of the mid 50s – tightly arranged, but with ample enough room for solo expression in a cooler, west coast modern mode. Side one features the extended "Jazz Concerto Grosso", and side two features two long titles – "Song For Cornet" and "Something For The Ladies". LP, Vinyl record album

A surprisingly wonderful 70s meeting between Gerry Mulligan & Chet Baker – recorded live, with sweet electric touches from CTI – in a style that shouldn't work so well, but which really comes off great! The approach is simple – Mulligan and Baker solo in a manner that's a bit like their 50s work, but which also unfolds more than usual with backing from a group that includes Bob James on electric piano, Ron Carter on bass, John Scofield on guitar, and Harvey Mason on drums. Tracks are long, with lots of space – hanging in a beautiful balance between electric and acoustic sounds. Titles include "Line For Lyons", "Song For An Unfinished Woman", "Song For Strayhorn", "It's Sandy At The Beach", "Bernie's Tune", and "K 4 Pacific". Both volumes on one CD! CD

A great pairing of two of the coolest jazz talents of the 50s – icy-cool altoist Paul Desmond and warm-toned baritonist Gerry Mulligan! The group here continues the pianoless tradition of some of Mulligan's work of the decade – leaving plenty of room for amazing interplay between the horns, and a rare chance to hear Desmond away from the instrument – especially considering his work with Brubeck – blowing here in an airy, willowy tone that's totally great. Other players include Joe Benjamin on bass and Dave Bailey on drums – and titles include "Blues In Time", "Standstill", "Line For Lyons", and "Fall Out". CD includes bonus tracks – "Tea For Two", "Wintersong", and "Lover". CD

A really great pairing – and a rare non-Brubeck Paul Desmond session from the 50s! Gerry Mulligan and Desmond weave laidback lines around each other, working here in a pianoless quartet that features Dave Bailey on drums and Joe Benjamin on bass – very much a Mulligan-inspired approach, and one that lets Desmond's alto get even more open-ended and willowy! The sound of both players is great, and titles include "Blues In Time", "Standstill", "Line For Lyons", and "Fall Out". LP, Vinyl record album

A very comprehensive issue of some key sessions from 1952 and 1953! The set includes lots of material that was originally issued on 10" LPs and 7" Eps – and includes unreleased tracks too! LP, Vinyl record album

A great little 2LP set – and a near-definitive release of recordings made by Gerry Mulligan and Lee Konitz, along with players like Zoot Sims, Allan Eager, and Al Cohn during the early 50s in LA. Some of the sides are studio sets, others are recorded live, and all seem to have a freeness that's rare for both of the players at the time. The sets are a bit loose, but in a good way, one that has the normally controlled Mulligan and Konitz opening up more in a jam session mode, especially on the longer tracks. Titles include "Disc Jockey Jump", "Crazy Day", "Sextet I", "Revelation", "Four & One More", "Turnstile", and "All The Things You Are". Great notes, too! LP, Vinyl record album

A 50s Fantasy album that brings together 2 earlier 10" jazz sessions – one by Mulligan and one by Desmond, both unusual outings for the players. Side one features Gerry Mulligan working with a strong early group – Chet Baker on trumpet, Chico Hamilton on drums, and Carson Smith on bass – on 4 tracks recorded in San Francisco, and 4 others recorded slightly later in LA. The tunes are short, piano-less, and have that fluid 50s Mulligan groove – and titles include "Turnstile", "Limelight", "Carioca", "Bark For Barksdale", and "Line For Lyons". Side two is a session that features 4 tracks with Paul in a quintet with Dick Collins on trumpet and Dave Van Kriedt on tenor sax – working without a piano, and in a fluid-grooving style that recalls a lot of the Gerry Mulligan style of the time. The other 4 tracks from the set are even more unique – and have Desmond blowing dreamily over a "with voices" chorus – done with the Bill Bates singers in a style that's warmer than similar work by Charlie Parker, and which really points the way towards some of the Desmond solo genius of the 60s. Titles include "Jeruvian", "Garden In The Rain", "Misty Window", "Winky", "Soon", and "Will I Know". LP, Vinyl record album

A Verve 80s twofer that combines Gerry Mulligan's sides with Stan Getz and Paul Desmond for the label onto one double album set. Mulligan's pairing with Getz is a great combo, with his baritone work cut nicely by Getz's wispy alto – making for a combination of horns that yeilds some wonderful moments that opens both players up more than usual for the time. Titles include "Anything Goes", "Ballad", and "That Old Feeling" – and the rhythm section features Lou Levy, Stan Levey, and Ray Brown. The second set finds Mulligan and Desmond weaving laidback lines around each other in a pianoless quartet that features Dave Bailey on drums and Joe Benjamin on bass. The album features some great blowing by Desmond, icy tone firmly in place, and pushing Mulligan past some of the easy moments that he could often fall into on other sessions. Titles include "Blues In Time", "Standstill", "Line For Lyons", and "Fall Out". LP, Vinyl record album

This was recorded during a Mexican tour in 1968 and features Brubeck on piano, Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, Alan Dawson on drums and Jack Six playing bass. The record is mainly composed of Brubeck and Mulligan originals such as "Jumping Bean", "Indian Song", "Tender Woman", "Lullaby Of Mexico","Sapito", and "Recuerdo". The two other tracks are "Adios, Mariquita Linda" and "Amapola". LP, Vinyl record album

Excellent early modern material – pulled together from the earlier years of Prestige, and packaged here with an excellent 50s abstract cover! Titles include "Ezzthetic", "Odjenar", "Yesterdays", and "Hibeck" by Lee Konitz with Miles Davis and others; "Conception" and "My Old Flame" by Sonny Rollins with Walter Bishop and others; "Intoit" and "Prezervation" by Stan Getz; and "I May Be Wrong" and "So What" by Gerry Mulligan. CD

A reunion of sorts for Paul Desmond and Gerry Mulligan – given that the pair had played together on record 5 years before, in a similar session for Verve! This album's almost lighter and more airy than the previous one – as it's done in a mode that echoes strongly with Desmond's own genius at RCA at the time – using a piano-less quartet format that has both horns carving out their own subtle space in sound, hanging together, but each occupying a different range of tonal color. The tracks are relatively longish, and the pair dart around each other nicely on tracks like "All The Things You Are", "Out Of Nowhere", "Blight Of The Fumble Bee", and "Two Of A Mind". LP, Vinyl record album

A great combination of material – a split Verve album that has Stan Getz with two other all-stars – in sets that are apparently exclusive to this album! Side one features Getz in a quintet with Gerry Mulligan on baritone, Lou Levy on piano, Ray Brown on bass, and Stan Levey on drums – and side two features a quartet with Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, and Ray Brown on bass! Stan sounds especially cool in this second drumless group! LP, Vinyl record album

A nice 50s collection of earlier bop recordings for Savoy – tracing the influence of Lester Young upon a host of players who would soon dominate the small group sound of the 50s! The set features 3 different groupings – one with Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, and Jimmy Raney; one with Serge Chaloff, Red Rodney, Earl Swope, and George Wallington; and one with Brew Moore, Gerry Mulligan, Kai Winding, and Wallington. Titles include "Lestorian Mode", "Gold Rush", "Serge's Urge", "Pumpernickel", "Gabardine & Serge", "Slow", and "Stan's Mood". LP, Vinyl record album

A rare larger group session that Gerry recorded in the early 70s for A&M – done in a style that's smoothly soaring, and a wonderful 70s extrapolation of his talents on baritone sax. Players include Bud Shank, Harry Edison, Roger Kellaway, Howard Roberts, and Emil Richards – and titles include "One To Ten In Ohio", "Maytag", "Golden Notebooks", "Country Beaver", "Grand Tour", and "Over The Hill & Out To The Woods". LP, Vinyl record album

Another of Mulligan's large Concert Jazz Band sides, with a large section of brass and reeds, mostly featuring Mulligan and trombonist Bob Brookmyer in the soloist's seat. The thing we've always dug about this group is that they move with the fluidity of a smaller ensemble, but like a middleweight fighter they still pack a heavy punch when the time comes. Six tunes: "All About Rosie", "Weep", "I Know, Don't Know How", 'Chuggin", "Summer's Over" and "Israel". LP, Vinyl record album

Excellent early 50s recordings by baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, and appropriately named after the title track "Freeway" considering the group's influence on the west coast scene at the time. The set was recorded for Pacific Jazz in 1952 and much later issued by Blue Note, and it's collected from a number of sessions – most of which in a quintet setting – with players that include Chet Baker on trumpet, Red Mitchell on bass, Chico Hamilton on drums, and Jimmy Rowles on piano. Tracks include "Get Happy", "She Didn't Say Yes", Lullaby Of The Leaves", "Frenisi", "Soft Shoe", and "Walkin' Shoes". LP, Vinyl record album

A really wonderful collection of live work from Gerry's early 60s Concert Jazz Band – a really forward-thinking large group that was one of Mulligan's greatest accomplishments of the time! In some ways, the ensemble worked in a sound that was like that of Mulligan's small group recordings of the 50s – with the horns moving around in free space, interacting beautifully in a fresh, modern, unfettered style. Gerry himself plays a bit of piano on the session, but most of the strength of the set is from the horn interplay from the larger group – from players that include Gene Quill, Bob Brookmeyer, Nick Travis, Gene Allen, Conte Candoli, and star soloist Zoot Sims. Material was recorded on a European tour of the time – and titles include "Go Home", "Barbara's Theme", I Want To Live", "Red Door", and "Apple Core". LP, Vinyl record album

Mulligan meets Italian pianist Enrico Intra, in a session recorded in Milan with Giancarlo Barigozzi on soprano, Sergio Farina on electric guitar, Pino Presti on electric bass, and Tullio De Piscopo on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

An unlikely pairing – but that's what makes it so great! Mulligan and Hodges come together in this rare Verve set from the late 50s – an inspired combination of talents that really work some magic together. Hodges' tone is in the lead in our ears, always wonderful, especially in a set of open-ended tracks like this – but Mulligan's sweet and careful blowing works surprisingly well as a foil, giving the set a nice bottom, and a good overall approach. Backing is by a trio that features Claud Williamson, Buddy Clark, and Mel Lewis – and titles include "Bunny", "Back Beat", "What's The Rush", and "18 Carrots For Rabbit". LP, Vinyl record album

Gerry Mulligan brings the piano back in nicely here – but in a way that still hangs onto all the best modern tones of his earlier Pacific Jazz sessions! The date's a live one – done at Storyville in Boston – but the sound is wonderfully intimate, with Gerry on baritone sax and piano, Bob Brookmeyer on valve trombone, Bill Crow on bass, and Dave Bailey on drums. The Crow/Bailey rhythm section is superb – nicely swinging throughout – and Gerry's work on piano has that airy, moody quality that would show up even more strongly in the 60s. Titles include "Bweebida Bwobbida", "Open Country", "Rustic Hop", "Bike Up The Strand", and "Storyville Story". CD

Gerry Mulligan brings the piano back in nicely here – but in a way that still hangs onto all the best modern tones of his earlier Pacific Jazz sessions! The date's a live one – done at Storyville in Boston – but the sound is wonderfully intimate, with Gerry on baritone sax and piano, Bob Brookmeyer on valve trombone, Bill Crow on bass, and Dave Bailey on drums. The Crow/Bailey rhythm section is superb – nicely swinging throughout – and Gerry's work on piano has that airy, moody quality that would show up even more strongly in the 60s. Titles include "Bweebida Bwobbida", "Open Country", "Rustic Hop", "Bike Up The Strand", and "Storyville Story". LP, Vinyl record album

Gerry Mulligan meets up with a great array of 50s modernists here – in specially setting dedicated to all Mulligan-penned compositions! Although a radical player himself on the baritone sax, Gerry also added something strong to the 50s jazz catalog with his great tunes from the early days – gently modern numbers that slowly became standards over the years, thanks to respect from other players. The best of these tracks are showcased here – played by Mulligan with a sax section that includes Zoot Sims on alto and tenor, Al Cohn on tenor and baritone, Lee Konitz on alto, and Allan Eager on alto and tenor. Rhythm is by the piano-less section of Freddie Green on guitar, Henry Grimes on bass, and Dave Bailey on drums – and titles include "Venus De Milo", "Revelation", "Sextet", "Turnstyle", "Four & One More", "Crazy Day", and "Disc Jockey Jump". CD also features 4 bonus tracks, too! CD

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One of those great overlooked dates from Gerry Mulligan's sometimes-ignored stretch of the mid 70s – a time when he was really trying out some excellent new musical experiments! This cooking set features his baritone in a group that really cooks nicely – and in ways that are quite different than you'd ever expect from the Mulligan of the 50s – and maybe even the Gerry of the 60s too! There's a bit of electricity in the group – thanks to Fender Rhodes from Tom Fay and guitar from Mike Santiago – and that element is a surprisingly wonderful complement to Gerry's baritone – which only seems to have a deeper sense of soul in comparison. Dave Samuels adds in some excellent vibes – and the other players include George Duvivier on bass and Bobby Rosengarden on drums – on titles that include "Strayhorn 2", "Idol Gossip", "Taurus Moon", "Waltzing Mathilda", and "Walk On Water". LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful pairing of the baritone of Gerry Mulligan and the trumpet of Art Farmer – brought together wonderfully in this piano-less session that has both players effortlessly carving lines in the open space of the studio. Rhythm is by the team of Bill Crow on bass and Dave Bailey on drums – both of whom snap along a harder groove than you'll hear on most of Mulligan's mid 50s work – making for a set that's got as much going on at the bottom as it does at the top, in a way that allows Gerry and Art to concentrate on lyrical interplay while the rhythms open up. Titles include "Utter Chaos", "Blueport", "What Is There To Say", "Festive Minor", and "As Catch Can". CD

One of our favorite-ever team up classics on Verve Records – a completely sublime meeting between aging tenor genius Ben Webster and younger baritone magician Gerry Mulligan – both players here who really seem to rise up even more than usual in the company of each other! The set's maybe one of Ben's best for Verve during this stretch – performed with a stunning tone, and that soulful, sensitive swing that he virtually invented – which also seems to bring out some different qualities in Mulligan's horn, maybe in part because there's also great piano work in the group from Jimmy Rowles, who's a subtle but key part of the session. Other players include Leroy Vinnegar on bass and Mel Lewis on drums – and titles include "Tell Me When", "Go Home", "The Cat Walk", "Sunday", "Chelsea Bridge", and "Who's Got Rhythm". CD

A surprisingly wonderful 70s meeting between Gerry Mulligan & Chet Baker – recorded live, with sweet electric touches from CTI – in a style that shouldn't work so well, but which really comes off great! The approach is simple – Mulligan and Baker solo in a manner that's a bit like their 50s work, but which also unfolds more than usual with backing from a group that includes Bob James on electric piano, Ron Carter on bass, John Scofield on guitar, and Harvey Mason on drums. Tracks are long, with lots of space – hanging in a beautiful balance between electric and acoustic sounds. Titles include "Line For Lyons", "Song For An Unfinished Woman", "Song For Strayhorn" and Baker's favorite standard "My Funny Valentine". LP, Vinyl record album

Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, Chet Baker on trumpet, Carson Smith on bass, and Chico Hamilton on drums. Chubby Jackson Big Band with Chubby Jackson on bass, Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, Howard McGhee, Al Porcino and Don Ferrara on trumpets, JJ Johnson and Kai Winding on trombones, Zoot Sims and Georgie Auld on tenor saxes, Charlie Kennedy on alto sax, Tony Aless on piano, and Don Lamond on drums. CD

An unusual United Artists album, one that features tracks from Mulligan's work on I Want To Live – and Brookmeyer's Kansas City Revisited album. Bob's also listed as "Bobbie" on the back cover! LP, Vinyl record album

Great early west coast jazz! This album puts together 2 different sessions both recorded by Gene Norman in the early 50s. One features Shorty Rogers heading up a great group with Art Pepper and Jimmy Giuffre – on the tracks "Four Mothers", "Didi", "Sam & The Lady", and "Popo". The other features classic cool Gerry Mulligan material – played by a tentet with Chet Baker, Bud Shank, and Bob Enevoldsen. Titles on that one include "Westwood Walk", "Simbah", "Walking Shoes", and "Rocker". LP, Vinyl record album

Great early west coast jazz! This album puts together 2 different sessions both recorded by Gene Norman in the early 50s. One features Shorty Rogers heading up a great group with Art Pepper and Jimmy Giuffre – on the tracks "Four Mothers", "Didi", "Sam & The Lady", and "Popo". The other features classic cool Gerry Mulligan material – played by a tentet with Chet Baker, Bud Shank, and Bob Enevoldsen. Titles on that one include "Westwood Walk", "Simbah", "Walking Shoes", and "Rocker". LP, Vinyl record album

A great collection of work from the Pacific Jazz label – one that features some deeper cuts from the label's important 50s lineup – album tracks from Bud Shank, Chico Hamilton, Bill Perkins & John Lewis, Jack Montrose, and Gerry Mulligan – plus two unreleased tracks, "Blues In The Night" by Russ Freeman and "Leroy's Blues" by Jack Sheldon. LP, Vinyl record album

Billy Taylor on piano, Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, Chip Jackson on bass, and Carl Allen on drums. CD

An all-star session put together by Verve in 1958 – one that features a septet of some of the label's biggest giants in jazz at the time! The format here is a bit open-ended – almost like some of the earlier JATP sessions on Verve – with lots of room for personal interaction between the soloists, especially the horn players in the lead! These include Stan Getz on tenor, Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, and Harry Edison on trumpet – working alongside Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, Ray Brown on bass, and Louis Bellson on drums. Titles include a beautiful extended "Ballad Medley" – really a great illustration of the freedoms that Verve brought to jazz recording in the 50s – plus the titles"Chocolate Sundae", "When Your Lover Has Gone", and "Candy". CD

A set that's noteworthy not just for the presence of alto saxophonist Lee Konitz, and for the leadership of baritonist Gerry Mulligan – but a record that also features the great Chet Baker on trumpet, working here as part of a trio of musicians who were really helping transform the sound of jazz in the early 50s! And maybe most noteworthy in the set is the lack of any piano at all – a strategy of Mulligan's at the time, but used in a way that also echoes some of Lee's sublime quartet sessions of the mid 50s too – and a nice setting for Chet, as he has plenty of space to open up and craft those magical notes of his youth! The rest of the group features Larry Bunker on drums, and either Carson Smith or Joe Mondragon on bass – and material was recorded partly live, and partly in the studio – with titles that include "Broadway", "Sextet", "Almost Like Being In Love", "Too Marvelous For Words", "Lover Man", "I'll Remember April", and "All The Things You Are". LP, Vinyl record album

Fantastic small group sides from Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker – includes three discs worth of material from the original 1952/1953 sessions, the 1957 reunion, plus a fourth disc featuring work with Lee Konitz and with vocalist Annie Ross. 82 tracks total! CD

The set's a tight affair with great solo work from a larger group of players – which includes Don Ferrara and Conte Candoli on trumpet, Bob Brookmeyer on valve trombone, Willie Dennis and Alan Raph on trombone, Bob Donovan and Gene Quill on alto, Jim Reider and Zoot Sims on tenor, Buddy Clark on bass and Mel Lewis on drums. A real triumph! Titles include "You Took Advantage Of Me", "Black Nightgown", "Body And Soul", "Barbara's Theme", "Apple Core", "Out Of This World", "Go Home", "I'm Gonna Go Fishing", "Blueport" and more! CD

A massive 2CD set that collects together 42 early recordings by the legendary Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Chet Baker – the complete work of that group for Pacific Jazz, apart from their pairing with Lee Konitz! The set is really overflowing with work, and includes both 10" and 12" LP takes of some tunes, plus a few other alternates, and all of the original material that was spread out over a number of hard-to-track down 10" LPs. Both Mulligan and Baker recorded together a number of times after this, in a "reunion" style that hearkened back to the fame of these sides – but the originals are still the best, and feature a magical pairing of two gentle jazz talents in a setting that's mostly piano-less – but which also features some occasional work from Jimmy Rowles, plus a bit of ivory from Gerry as well. Titles include "She Didn't Say Yes She Didn't Say No", "Bernie's Tune", "Soft Shoe", "Walkin Shoes", "Motel", "Cherry", "Love Me Or Leave Me", "Swinghouse", "Five Brothers", "Tea For Two", and "Funhouse". CD

2 great Paris live sets from Gerry Mulligan – with his Concert Jazz Band at L'Olympia in 1960 – followed by a 1962 quartet set at the same venue serving as bonus tracks! The 11 titles on the first CD and the first titles on the second CD are culled from the 1960 set – a tight affair with great solo work from a larger group of players – which includes Don Ferrara and Conte Candoli on trumpet, Bob Brookmeyer on valve trombone, Willie Dennis and Alan Raph on trombone, Bob Donovan and Gene Quill on alto, Jim Reider and Zoot Sims on tenor, Buddy Clark on bass and Mel Lewis on drums. A real triumph! Titles include "You Took Advantage Of Me", "Black Nightgown", "Body And Soul", "Barbara's Theme", "Apple Core", "Out Of This World", "Go Home", "I'm Gonna Go Fishing", "Blueport" and more! The second CD is closed out by a 1962 set by the the Gerry Mulligan Quartet – originally released as the LP Gerry Mulligan & His Quartet Live At The Olympia Theatre 1962! The tracks are long, and the setting fluid – as Gerry plays baritone on most tracks, but piano on a couple; and Bob Brookmeyer does the same, taking a break from valve trombone to play piano for one track as well. Rhythm is by the team of Bill Crow on bass and Gus Johnson on drums – and titles include "Spring Is Sprung", "Five Brothers", "Subterranean Blues", "Blue Port", and "Utter Chaos". More than 2 1/2 hours of music on 2CDs! CD

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Featuring Mulligan on baritone sax, Bob Brookmeyer on trombone, Red Mitchell on bass, and Frank Isola on drums. Tracks include "Lady Is A Tramp", "Five Brothers", "Limelight", "Laura", "Love Me Or Leave Me", "Makin Whoopee", and "Bark For Barksdale". CD

Features Phil Woods on alto saxophone, Dean Johnson on bass, Ron Vincent on drums, John Clark on french horn, John Lewis on piano, Dave Bargeron on trombone, Wallace Roney on trumpet, and Bill Barber on tuba. CD

A magical meeting of two tremendous talents – saxophonist Gerry Mulligan and bandoneon player Astor Piazzolla – heard here in a rare Italian recording from the 70s! The album's a really unique effort for both musicians – a bit more pensive and thoughtful than some of Piazzolla's usual work from the 70s, and much less jazz-based than Mulligan's other records – more in a soundtrack mode, and one that seems to have echoes of Gato Barbieri's score to Last Tango In Paris! Like that great record, this one mixes Argentine styles with freer, more fluid ones – updating roots with a 70s sense of sophistication, and really letting Gerry Mulligan take off in long, open-ended solos that are among some of his best work of the decade. Other instrumentation includes marimba, guitar, keyboards, and percussion from Tullio De Piscopo – plus a bit of strings as well – and titles include "Hace Viente Anos", "Deux Xango", "Viente Anos Despues", "Reunion Cumbre", "Reminiscencia", and "Anos De Soledad". CD

A surprisingly wonderful 70s meeting between Gerry Mulligan & Chet Baker – recorded live, with sweet electric touches from CTI – in a style that shouldn't work so well, but which really comes off great! The approach is simple – Mulligan and Baker solo in a manner that's a bit like their 50s work, but which also unfolds more than usual with backing from a group that includes Bob James on electric piano, Ron Carter on bass, John Scofield on guitar, and Harvey Mason on drums. Tracks are long, with lots of space – hanging in a beautiful balance between electric and acoustic sounds. Titles include "Line For Lyons", "Song For An Unfinished Woman", "Song For Strayhorn", "It's Sandy At The Beach", "Bernie's Tune", and "K 4 Pacific". Both volumes on one CD! CD

A seminal session from Gerry Mulligan – one of his 50s quartet recordings with Chet Baker, in a group that also includes Carson Smith on bass and Larry Bunker on drums. The pianoless quartet grooves nicely in a twin-horn frontline – gliding effortlessly through tunes that include "I May Be Wrong", "Jeru", "Swinghouse", "Darn That Dream", and "Love Me Or Leave Me". LP, Vinyl record album

Includes trio recordings with Teddy Wilson, Milt Hinton, and Specs Powell on Side One; and quartet recordings with Gerry Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Joe Benjamin, and Dave Bailey on Side Two. LP, Vinyl record album

A pretty hip set of big band arrangements – very much along the lines of early 50s Stan Kenton, with a tight swing, but a nicely modern undercurrent as well! The arrangements, as the title indicates, are all by Gerry Mulligan – and in addition to the piano of Elliot Lawrence, players include Al Cohn and Hal McKusick on saxes, Nick Travis on trumpet, Eddie Bert and Paul Sheldon on trombones, Buddy Saunders on bass, and Don Lamond on drums – all players with a great ear for mixing up tightness on the heads, and a more laidback groove during the solo moments. Tracks are short and angularly arranged – and titles include "But Not For Me", "Happy Hooligan", "My Silent Love", "Mullenium", and "Bweebida Bwobbida". LP, Vinyl record album

Gene Krupa and Gerry Mulligan – hardly a pairing that we would have thought of – but one that works surprisingly well here, and which showcases Mulligan's increasing fascination for larger group settings! The album features Gene on drums with a set of players that include Kai Winding, Urbie Green, Phil Woods, Hank Jones, and Barry Galbraith – but the real star of the set is Gerry, who's not playing here, but conducting the larger group of jazz players through charts that are all his own, and which display the same love of fluid ensemble horn parts that he used in his own smaller combo work. There's a lot more brass in the mix than you'd usually get from Gerry – which gives the album a bit more of a Krupa kick – and Gene also gets some nice space to show himself on drums. Titles include "Yardbird Suite", "Margie", "Bird House", "The Way Of All Flesh", "Disk Jockey Jump", "Birds Of A Feather", and "Mulligan Stew". LP, Vinyl record album