For those unaware, Jazz saxophonist, bandleader, composer and arranger Gerry Mulligan was perhaps the best-known and most celebrated exponent of the baritone sax in the history of genre. Although a native New Yorker, he became associated with the West Coast cool school of modern jazz in the 1950s and participated in numerous landmark recordings during his career.

He became especially well-known for his collaborations during the early ’50s with trumpeter Chet Baker), but later in the decade he also made albums with several other jazz luminaries of the era, and this collection comprises the complete contents of five of those.

This 33-track 3-CD collections features the titles from the Verve albums Getz Meets Mulligan in Hi-Fi, Gerry Mulligan - Paul Desmond Quartet, Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster, Gerry Mulligan Meets Johnny Hodges, and the Riverside album Mulligan Meets Monk.

Quite apart from the headline collaborators, it also includes performances by notable musicians of the day who were in the bands - Joe Benjamin, Lou Levy, Ray Brown, Jimmy Rowles, Mel Lewis, Claude Williamson, Buddy Clark and more. Capturing the great saxophonist creating albums with his illustrious peers, it naturally offers an enlightening and enjoyable showcase for his unique talents.

In my humble opinion, Gerry Mulligan left a very large musical footprint from the fifties through the nineties, but he isn’t mentioned a lot these days, sadly. At the height of his success, Gerry was the dominant baritone saxophonist in the world, and his inventions in big band arranging and in small group structure left a lasting mark on the collective jazz ear.

While he was mastering his instrument, Gerry developed a reputation for being the world’s foremost sitter-in. He would walk onto any bandstand with his horn and would prove his right to be there by playing superbly. At the first few Newport Jazz Festivals he managed to sit in with every one of his idols, from Duke to Dizzy. Indeed for one festival, Ellington wrote a special composition featuring Gerry and Harry Carney in duet.

My own personal stand out recording of his would be Gerry Mulligan and the Concert Jazz Band Live at The Village Vanguard. I mean, this album will win many over if they aren’t already of Mulligan’s big band writing and style. Killer band and orchestration/arranging split between Mulligan and Bob Brookmeyer. Featured soloists Clark Terry, Gene Quill, Mel Lewis on drums and of course Mulligan and Brookmeyer.

This album is nearing the end of his piano-less groups. The writing features many simple melodies that combine with others to create sophistication and counterpoint. Excitement and energy within solos are key, as they embody the melody of the song. A high point is the blues trading on “Blueport” between Mulligan, Terry and Lewis. Excellent communication. Also, there is some create saxophone solid writing on “Lady Chatterley’s Mother” to check out, in my humble opinion.

Disc 1:
Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love); Anything Goes; Too Close For Comfort; That Old Feeling; This Can’t Be Love; Ballad; Scrapple From The Apple; I Didn’t Know What Time It Was; Straight, No Chaser; Rhythm-A-Ning; Decidedly

Disc 2:
’Round Midnight; Sweet And Lovely; I Mean You; Blues In Time; Body And Soul; Stand Still; Line For Lyons; Wintersong; Battle Hymn Of The Republican; Fall Out; Tell Me When

Disc 3:
Chelsea Bridge; The Cat Walk; Sunday; Who’s Got Rhythm; Go Home; Bunny; What’s The Rush; Back Beat; What It’s All About; 18 Carrots For Rabbit; Shady Side

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