Gerry Mulligan - Presenting The Gerry Mulligan Sextet

Gerry Mulligan is a tall (6'1"), thin (145 lbs.), young man with light red hair, pale skin, and an intense dedication toward all that interests him in life. Nothing interests him more than music. At the age of twenty-eight Gerry has been a professional musician for twelve years. In that time of constantly writing for big bands and small he has never written an uncommissioned piece of music. Simultaneously he has become a world famous baritonist, for it may be truly said that on baritone saxophone Gerry Mulligan has no peer.

Gerry’s ever present nemesis is a fear of musical stagnation and boredom, and this has served to drive him to move his talents from band to band, playing with and writing for various instrumentations. It was because of this drive that last year, at the completion of a successful concert tour, Gerry disbanded the quartet and took six months off to sit down, regain his perspective, and see what it was he wanted to do next. Gerry’s Sextet is the product of that introspective period. It brings together Bob Brookmeyer and Jon Eardley, each of whom has served as the other horn in the Quartet; a bright new rhythm section consisting of Dave Bailey on drums and Peck Morrison on bass, and adds to this the tang of Zoot Sims’ ever-swinging tenor saxophone playing. Crowning the group is Gerry’s forceful and persuasive musicianship showing itself in his writing and in his playing, both, as ever, warm, intimate, compelling.

Gerry detests having an audience told whether or not a record is good, preferring that his audience judge for themselves. This we leave you to do, merely saying that all who were concerned with the making of this album are delighted with the results.

The Sextet has played nearly all the jazz clubs on the eastern seaboard, completed a concert tour through many of the eastern and mid-western cities, and is scheduled to do a European tour. Then Gerry will undoubtedly retire again, seeking the direction of the next step in his musical journey. I am sure that he himself does not know exactly what it will be. But one thing is sure; more music will be coming from Gerry Mulligan. Much more. *Liner notes*

The short-lived Gerry Mulligan sextet of 1955-56 recorded three albums before disbanding. This particular out-of-print LP features baritonist Mulligan, trumpeter Jon Eardley, valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer and Zoot Sims on tenor performing such songs as "Nights at the Turntable", "Broadway", "The Lady Is a Tramp" and "Bernie's Tune". Fun swinging music that is still quite accessible. *Scott Yanow*

Side 1

1 - Mud Bug

(Lloyd)

2 - Sweet And Lovely

(Arnheim, LeMare, Tobias)

3 - Apple Core

(Mulligan)

4 - Nights At The Turntable

(Mulligan)

Side 2

5 - Broadway

(Woode, McRae, Bird)

6 - Everything Happens To Me

(Adair, Dennis)

7 - The Lady Is A Tramp

(Rodgers, Hart)

8 - Bernie's Tune

(Mulligan)

Gerry Mulligan (baritone sax, piano), Jon Eardley (trumpet), Zoot Sims (tenor sax), Bob Brookmeyer (valve trombone), Peck Morrison (bass), Dave Bailey (drums).

Recorded in New York City, September 21 and 22, 1955.