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Gerry Mulligan Quartet

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Gerry Mulligan Quartet was a quartet built around the American baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan. He was born on 6 April 1927 in Queens in New York and died on 20 January 1996. Besides being a saxophonist he was a clarinettist, pianist, composer and arranger, and he was also called Jeru. He grew up in a family that moved often, including to Ohio and Michigan, and began on the clarinet. His baritone sounded light and airy, in the era of Cool Jazz.

Music and breakthrough

In 1952 the album Gerry Mulligan Quartet appeared, with the trumpeter Chet Baker. The line-up had no piano, so that the horns had a great deal of room to play with one another. More recordings followed in the years 1953 to 1955, including Gene Norman Presents the Gerry Mulligan Quartet from 1954 and a record with Lee Konitz. In 1988 Reunion with Chet Baker appeared. My Funny Valentine with Chet Baker, from 1952, is one of the best-known recordings.

Influence

The music is calm, clear and transparent. Two melodic lines, baritone sax and trumpet, weave around each other over a rhythm section of bass and drums, and the sound is soft rather than sharp. The quartet became one of the best-known examples of Cool Jazz on the American West Coast. It showed that jazz could also sound restrained, almost like chamber music, and influenced many later small groups.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to My Funny Valentine and follow the trumpet of Chet Baker and the baritone sax in turn. Notice that there is no piano: can you hear how the open space between the instruments lets the melody float?

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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See also

Categories: ArtistsWest Coast jazz