While Mulligan was a great player and improviser and a model for many others, I'm afraid that John Surman is the player who now deserves the title "greatest". He is in another class from Mulligan, although I have no doubt that Mulligan's achievements made possible the playing achievements of younger musos. Perhaps newer players, building on Surman's achievements, will one day be called 'greatest'. It's a moveable feast.
Gerry Mulligan was the greatest baritione saxophonist ever. No one's been able to touch him. He was human though, as I just noticed. Notice at 1:39 while he's improvising he mistakenly thinks they're at the bridge in the changes for two beats before he catches himself and cleverly recovers and returns to the changes of the "A" section. He was brilliant.
Great tune, great playing, except for...the bass sounds like a big rubber band. Its all electric signal, you can't hear the real instrument, and the attack is defeated. Know what I mean? Set up to facilitate velocity, but sounds like shit. You can't hear the WOOD, the acoustic resonance. You can't contribute to the rhythm section that way - no propulsion - ya dig? Mulligan is the greatest, though. (sorry!)
The bass is the rock of any group. Mlligan and the bass player are just one. Listen, listen to a lot of music and what you don't hear now - will come to you
johnnycchops, I think you're dead right. What happened to the big wooden bass sound of Percy Heath, Wilbur Ware, Ray Brown, Leroy Vinegar etc.? Bassists almost all sound like electrified flamenco guitarists these day: sacrificing tone for speed. An expression of technique that I detest.
Therefore I respect Charlie Haden, a solid bass player.
@johnnycchops - magnetic pickup. That sound's on purpose; it's a different tone than wood but imo it's still pretty damn fine, and swings no less than an acoustic.
There is a wonderful performance of this tune recorded at Carnegie Hall in 1974 with Gerry, Chet Baker, Ron Carter and John Scofield. It's a really beautiful record.
I saw the Mulligan Quartet with Chet Baker when they first started playing in the Haig across the street from the Ambassador in the early fifties. I was about 19 and I'll never forget how fresh and exciting it was. A pianoless quartet with Chico Hamilton on drums sometimes.I met Bud Powell there. I even hung out with Chet in his Hollywood hills home. It was an exciting time. There was so much innovation going on.
Bill Mays, a great player, who was Sarah Vaughan's pianist, and is still very much on the scene with his own trio and in high demand with many of the top players. Check him out - lots of recordings available.
Mulligan was a guy who really enjoyed playing -- and made that ever so clear in his music. If I recall correctly, he never got a five star rating in Downbeat. Go figure. Just compare this with the version done more than 30 years previously. Mike S.
I know Little Big Horn got 5 Stars (Which is funny because it's my least favourite Mulligan album). I'm pretty sure the concert jazz band Village Vanguard CD got 5 stars too. (a terrific album).
I'm glad to know I was wrong, but he sure as hell deserved better (Downbeat published a listing of all their 4 and 5 star reviews and I didn't think he was in the 5 star category -- the Vanguard recording must have come after that reprise of what Downbeat considered worthwhile in jazz). He was and still is one of the finest composers, arrangers and musicians ever. I agree with your assessment of Little Big Horn which is pleasant but not memorable, and I certainly enjoy the Vanguard session.
Gerry has the greatest voice on the barytone, absolutely lovely!!
Schumann8 5 months ago
While Mulligan was a great player and improviser and a model for many others, I'm afraid that John Surman is the player who now deserves the title "greatest". He is in another class from Mulligan, although I have no doubt that Mulligan's achievements made possible the playing achievements of younger musos. Perhaps newer players, building on Surman's achievements, will one day be called 'greatest'. It's a moveable feast.
dontrombo 6 months ago
Gerry never let's me down. He's a joy to hear.Man, can he play that bari!!
wch1tv 7 months ago
Gerry Mulligan was the greatest baritione saxophonist ever. No one's been able to touch him. He was human though, as I just noticed. Notice at 1:39 while he's improvising he mistakenly thinks they're at the bridge in the changes for two beats before he catches himself and cleverly recovers and returns to the changes of the "A" section. He was brilliant.
saxophoney 1 year ago
It's kind of weird how I can't visually see him articulating.
I personally don't like his style of playing as much as Pepper Adams.
I think a Bari should be darker, not light and happy as Gerry makes it.
Impercepted 1 year ago
It's kind of weird how I can't visually see him articulating.
Impercepted 1 year ago
Baritone Saxophone. Nobody plays better than Gerry Mulligan. Great!
henkokwithoutherbie 1 year ago
Baritone saxophone is SO awesome!
great song! you can watch my one-man-band cover in my channel or in the video response, if you want!
TheLotanos 1 year ago
Smooth ... beautiful lines everything good jazz should be. I love this approach.
Arborwaychet 2 years ago
Besos para ti...MRC
Namlahfeliz 2 years ago
Prelude in E.
Lo mejor de Gerry Mulligan..
locombia87 2 years ago
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CarlaGreenMassage 2 years ago
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CarlaGreenMassage 2 years ago
personally I think Gerry's sound became more authoritative in his later years, which I like more. but of course this is just my opinion!
2boredfortv 2 years ago
I didn't like his early sound. It was too airy for me
archlordXd0 2 years ago
@archlordXd0 exactly, plus I think he was just a tad too cocky too lol.
gotta love listening to a nice warm bari to take you away from playing one in a damn rock band!
2boredfortv 2 years ago
Comment removed
ComicSaxProductions 2 years ago
Great performance of a favorite tune. Love the way Gerry comps for Mays' solo. He was always The Consummate Pro. Thanks for a fabulous post!
StradMan37 2 years ago
One more comment.
Wow.
jazzflutist 3 years ago
The true master. The least amount a' notes with the maximum-est effect.
jazzflutist 3 years ago
Perfection...totally perfect...doesn't get any better than this....thanks eveso for posting....bravo
phtogrfx 3 years ago
Mulligan arrived from another galaxy!!!!!!!!!!
milenarigolli 3 years ago
what's his setup?
chrisbeaudette 3 years ago
he played conn 12M But, I don´t know about his mpc...
LonelyWalker11 3 years ago
Great tune, great playing, except for...the bass sounds like a big rubber band. Its all electric signal, you can't hear the real instrument, and the attack is defeated. Know what I mean? Set up to facilitate velocity, but sounds like shit. You can't hear the WOOD, the acoustic resonance. You can't contribute to the rhythm section that way - no propulsion - ya dig? Mulligan is the greatest, though. (sorry!)
johnnycchops 3 years ago 8
The bass is the rock of any group. Mlligan and the bass player are just one. Listen, listen to a lot of music and what you don't hear now - will come to you
milenarigolli 3 years ago
johnnycchops, I think you're dead right. What happened to the big wooden bass sound of Percy Heath, Wilbur Ware, Ray Brown, Leroy Vinegar etc.? Bassists almost all sound like electrified flamenco guitarists these day: sacrificing tone for speed. An expression of technique that I detest.
Therefore I respect Charlie Haden, a solid bass player.
BuckshotLaFunke 3 years ago
@johnnycchops - magnetic pickup. That sound's on purpose; it's a different tone than wood but imo it's still pretty damn fine, and swings no less than an acoustic.
kaeli8 1 month ago
Thanks for this great clip!
rambert66 3 years ago
There is a wonderful performance of this tune recorded at Carnegie Hall in 1974 with Gerry, Chet Baker, Ron Carter and John Scofield. It's a really beautiful record.
Thanks for posting this video. Such a treat...
plaz2400 3 years ago
I saw the Mulligan Quartet with Chet Baker when they first started playing in the Haig across the street from the Ambassador in the early fifties. I was about 19 and I'll never forget how fresh and exciting it was. A pianoless quartet with Chico Hamilton on drums sometimes.I met Bud Powell there. I even hung out with Chet in his Hollywood hills home. It was an exciting time. There was so much innovation going on.
steinway33 3 years ago 2
God its just like pure hapiness coming out of his horn
adawg1789 4 years ago
does anybody know the name of the pianist?
jazzevans 4 years ago
According to the "About this video" section his name is Bill Mays
plaz2400 3 years ago
Bill Mays, a great player, who was Sarah Vaughan's pianist, and is still very much on the scene with his own trio and in high demand with many of the top players. Check him out - lots of recordings available.
frankpearce 3 years ago 2
Mulligan was a guy who really enjoyed playing -- and made that ever so clear in his music. If I recall correctly, he never got a five star rating in Downbeat. Go figure. Just compare this with the version done more than 30 years previously. Mike S.
tipsin 4 years ago
I know Little Big Horn got 5 Stars (Which is funny because it's my least favourite Mulligan album). I'm pretty sure the concert jazz band Village Vanguard CD got 5 stars too. (a terrific album).
KevvieG 3 years ago
I'm glad to know I was wrong, but he sure as hell deserved better (Downbeat published a listing of all their 4 and 5 star reviews and I didn't think he was in the 5 star category -- the Vanguard recording must have come after that reprise of what Downbeat considered worthwhile in jazz). He was and still is one of the finest composers, arrangers and musicians ever. I agree with your assessment of Little Big Horn which is pleasant but not memorable, and I certainly enjoy the Vanguard session.
tipsin 3 years ago
Superbe.
Mulligan était le maître.
Gerry Mulligan was the master of the baritone saxophone. Wonderful music.
saxophoney 4 years ago