Verve Jazz Masters 36 - Gerry Mulligan (1994) [Jazz][mp3 192-320

Verve Jazz Masters 36 - Gerry Mulligan 

Audio CD: November 8, 1994 

Original Release Date: November 8, 1994 

Label: Polygram Records

Bitrate: 192-320 kbps

A solid if not ideal introduction to Gerry Mulligan's recordings for Verve, this 36th volume in the label's Jazz Masters series compiles eleven tracks he cut between mid-1960 and late 1962 while at the helm of his Concert Jazz Band.  Highlights include renditions of Django Reinhardt's "Manoir de Mes Reves," Johnny Mandel's "Barbara's Theme" and George Russell's "All About Rosie. " ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

Gerry Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band was one of the great bands of the early 1960s - of all time, really.  Mulligan, whose big band (and small big band) experience went back to Gene Krupa and the Miles Davis Birth of the Cool recordings, expanded and enlarged on the sound of his quartet, sextet, and tentets in the Concert Jazz Band.  This album contains a dozen cuts from the four albums the band made for Verve between 1960 and late 1962.  (There are several other excellent CDs currently available, from the band's European tour in late 1960 and from an appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival earlier that year. )

Highlights of this collection include Al Cohn's wonderful sax section writing on "Lady Chatterley's Mother," the interplay between Mulligan and Clark Terry on the definitive "Blueport," and George Russell's arrangement of "All About Rosie. " In addition to Mulligan (who plays piano on "Chuggin'" - he's a wonderful piano player - and clarinet on "Big City Blues" ) and Terry, soloists include Bob Brookmeyer (valve trombone and piano), Don Ferrara on trumpet, and Jim Reider on tenor.  Mel Lewis is the drummer who makes it all happen, on all but the final recording date.  That one, released as "Gerry Mulligan 1963" (although recorded in December 1962), presents a band with a somewhat different, perhaps more arranged, sound, but it includes Jim Hall on guitar. 

If you can find a copy of the now-discontinued Verve Compact Jazz CD of the Concert Jazz Band, you'll have a pretty complete representation of the band's official recordings.  The older collection includes three cuts that are sadly missing from this one: Zoot Sims' great solos on "Come Rain or Come Shine" and "Apple Core," and Mulligan's delightful piano outing on "Let My People Be. "

This is a great band.  Savor what's available.  ~ A Customer, Amazon

Verve Jazz Masters 36 - Gerry Mulligan Tracks:

01  You Took Advantage Of Me 4:41 

02  Manoir De Mes Reves (Django’s Castle) 3:50 

03  Lady Chatterley’s Mother 6:11 

04  Barbara’s Theme 5:31 

05  Blueport 10:56 

06  Weep 6:03 

07  All About Rose 9:45 

08  Chuggin’ 4:46 

09  Summer’s Over 4:35 

10  Israel 3:10 

11  Ballad 4:16 

12  Big City Blues 5:41
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