Gerry Mulligan

Gerry Mulligan on vinyl: the baritone saxophone in cool jazz

In short: Gerry Mulligan (1927–1996) is regarded as one of the most important baritone saxophonists of modern jazz. He wrote arrangements for Miles Davis’ “Birth Of The Cool” and in 1952 formed a pianoless quartet in Los Angeles – with Chet Baker on trumpet. This light, contrapuntal sound is regarded as defining for West Coast jazz. The Vinyl Room currently has 9 Gerry Mulligan records.

What makes Gerry Mulligan special?

Without a piano, baritone saxophone and trumpet had to imply the harmonies themselves – they played lines that wind around each other. “Timeless” includes recordings by this quartet alongside other Chet Baker recordings. On “California Concerts” you hear Mulligan live, also with Zoot Sims and Bob Brookmeyer.

In 1958 his band played in the film “I Want To Live!” – we have “The Jazz Combo From I Want To Live!”. Plus collections such as “Historically Speaking”, “The Genius Of Gerry Mulligan” and “The Great Gerry Mulligan”.

From our stock

First pressings

Records by Gerry Mulligan

→ Chet Baker · Pacific Jazz · Cool jazz · Jazz on vinyl

FAQ

Which instrument did Gerry Mulligan play? Mainly the baritone saxophone; he was also a composer and arranger.

What was special about his quartet with Chet Baker? It played without a piano – saxophone and trumpet ran their lines freely side by side.

What does Mulligan have to do with “Birth Of The Cool”? He wrote arrangements for Miles Davis’ nonet, which made those recordings.

Which records do you have? Recordings from the fifties and sixties – 9 records in all.