CiTR

Gerry Mulligan was one of the most distinctive of all the exponents of the modern baritone saxophone but that wasn't all there was to Mulligan. He was an ace arranger, composer, band leader and a more than competent pianist. Among his many bands it's his pianoless quartet that stands out in people's minds. The first one was put together in Los Angeles with trumpeter Chet Baker and was in many ways the most magical. The second was a while later with valve trombone master Bob Brookmeyer and the third is the subject of tonight's Jazz Feature and it has Mulligan with trumpet giant Art Farmer, bassist Bill Crow and drummer Dave Bailey. This definitive album was made for Columbia Records in late 1958 and early 1959. It's called "What Is There To Say?" after on of the songs. Two other standards are heard as well as several Mulligan compositions. It captures the best of this group and makes this version of The Mulligan Quartet arguably his finest Quartet. I leave it to you, the listener to decide.