Gerry Mulligan

Gerry Mulligan was born Gerald Joseph Mulligan on April 6, 1927 in Queens, New York. His father was an engineer which caused the family to move frequently throughout Gerry's childhood. He started playing the clarinet and saxophone at the age of fourteen and he also started arranging for Big Bands. When he was sixteen, Mulligan was arranging for the house band at a Philadelphia Radio Station. He dropped out of high school in his senior year and got a job arranging for the Tommy Tucker Band.

In January 1946, Gerry moved to New York City and started arranging for Gene Krupa's Band. After this he arranged for Claude Thornhill.

In September 1948, Miles Davis formed a nonet with Mulligan playing baritone sax and composing and arranging three songs and arranging another three songs. The resulting album was titled "The Birth of the Cool."

In Septenber 1951, Gerry recorded his first album under his own named titled "Mulligan Plays Mulligan."

In the spring of 1952, he moved to Los Angeles where he started arranging for Stan Kenton's Band. He was also performing at a jazz club called "The Haig" where he met Chet Baker. They formed a pianoless Quartet which became very popular and produced recordings which were major sellers. This, however, came to an end in mid 1953, when Mulligan was arrested on Narcotics charges and spent six months on an "Honor Farm."

Gerry formed his first "Concert Jazz Band" in the spring of 1960. The band toured and recorded through the end of 1964. After this he teamed up with Dave Brubeck and appeared regularly with him through 1973.

During the 1970's and 1980's he worked at promoting a repertoire of baritone saxophone music for orchestra. He had his compositions played by orchestras throughout the world.

Mulligan's final recording was a quartet album in the summer of 1995 and his final public performance was on November 9th of that year. He died on January 20, 1996 in Darien, Connecticutt from complications from knee surgery.

Earlier today I listened to "Re-Birth of the Cool." This is a 1992 GRP release. The band includes: Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, Wallace Roney on trumpet, Phil Woods on alto sax, Dave Bargeron on trombone, John Clark on french horn, Bill Barber on tuba, John Lewis on piano, Dean Johnson on bass, and Ron Vincent on drums. Mel Torme supplied the vocals.

The tunes include "Israel," "Deception," "Move," "Rocker," "Venus De Milo," "Boplicity," "Darn That Dream," and "Jeru" among others.

Here's a video of Gerry playing "Satin Doll."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=25yQ9C4E79w