• Gerry Mulligan's recordings
• Other musicians play Gerry Mulligan
• Miscellaneous information

1. 1945 ELLIOT LAWRENCE ORCHESTRA WITH GERRY MULLIGAN

"THE PHILADELPHIA RECORDINGS" CRABAPPLE SOUND RECORDINGS RBB 1061

This label presents live radio recordings during the 30s, 40s and early 50s from many big bands. Among them two Elliot Lawrence recordings from Philadelphia (PA) originally broadcasted as "One Night Stand" radio show which can be found on ELLIOT LAWRENCE Orchestra, Crabapple Sound Recordings RBB-1061 including :

a. 1945, june 23 : Philadelphia, ONS 733

1. Heart to heart (0mn50s)
2. Back home in Indiana (2mn45s)
3. Laura *,** (4mn15s)
4. Sweetheart of all my dream (3mn16s)
5. And there are you (2mn48s)
6. Someone to watch over me (2mn32s)
7. June is bustin' out all over ** (2mn53s)
8. I'm in the mood for love * (2mn56s)
9. Lawrence leaps (2mn54s)
10. Heart to heart * (2mn52s)

b. 1945, july 26 : Philadelphia, ONS 779

1. Heart To Heart (0mn77s)
2. No Can Do (3mn00s)
3. If I Loved You* (2mn34s)
4. Blue Moon (2mn41s)
5. Prelude To Love (3mn01s)
6. The Hunter And The Three Dears *,** (2mn31s)
7. A Friend Of Yours* (2mn20s)
8. Dream (2mn28s)
9. All Of My Life* (1mn41s)
10. Lawrence Leaps (2mn27s)
11. They Didn't Believe Me (2mn51s)

For these two recordings The personnel is probably the June 21, 1945 one (Big Band Archive LP information):

Red Rodney, John Dee, Paul Cope (tp), Frank Rodowitz, Joe Verrechico, Herb Collins (tb), Ernie Contonucci, Buddy Gentiles (as), Pete Sansoni, Mike Donio (ts), Gerry Mulligan (bs), Ernie Angelucci (frh), Elliot Lawrence (p), Andy Piccardi (b) , Max Spector (d), Roselyn Patton, Jack Hunter*, The Three Dears** (vcl)

"Crabapple Sound" web-site indicates that the June recording was previously incorrectly announced as Saint Louis. The July recording is a new one for my collection !!

In the June 2004 issue of the newsletter I said : The following recordings (Tommy Tucker, Gene Krupa, Claude Thornhill, without Gerry Mulligan) are nevertheless very interesting".

I have discovered two new interpretations of Gerry Mulligan's arrangements:

Firstly, the Tommy Tucker Orchestra played Brass Hats (3mn06s) at Chicago (IL), the January 11th of 1945. This a CCSPB Radio Broadcast no. 724 on the CD CRABAPPLE RBX-0042 : "Jan Savitt Orchestra / Tommy Tucker Orchestra".

Secondly, the Gene Krupa Orchestra played "Birdhouse" (2mn51s) at The Hollywood Palladium, the 12th of April 1949. This is an One Night Stand (ONS) Radio Broadcast no. 1998 on the CD CRABAPPLE RBB-1032 : "Gene Krupa Orchestra".

COMPLETE RECORDINGS LONEHILL LHJ 10118 (2004)

This is great to find in this 2 CDs Box , the complete recordings of the "Jazz Great Of Our Time" sessions. Unhappily the information given by the Booklet contains a lot of errors. Below you'll find the correct information.

The first title is the true one, the second one, given by the CD information, is false.

CD1
The 7 following songs were issued on CORAL CRL57173 : "The Jazz Greats Of Our Time Vol 1". They were recorded in April 2-4, 1957, the baritone saxophonist being Gerry Mulligan.

1-1 : Blues for the neither coast (8'59) , "My Sweetie went Away"
1-2 : Latined Fracture (4'00) , "See Here Miss Bromley"
1-3 : Poor Dr Millmoss (5'29)
1-4 : Minor Matters (7'10) , "All too soon"
1-5 : My Sweetie went Away (5'42) , "Minor Matters"
1-6 : All too Soon (5'05) ,  "Latined Fracture"
1-7 : See Here Miss Bromley (4'30) , "Blues for the neither coast"

The 7 following songs were issued on CORAL CRL57142 : "The Jazz Greats Of Our Time Vol 2". They were recorded in August 15-16, 1957. The baritone saxophonists were Charlie Mariano or Bill Holman.

1-8 : Interwoven (7'30) , "Thunder Burt"
1-9 : Afterthoughts (4'37)
1-10 : Sweet's Bread (5'52) , "How long has this been Goin' On ?"
1-11 : Jive At Five (4'55)
1-12 : Thunder Burt (6'62), "It's De-lovely"
1-13 : How long has this been Goin' On ? (4'26) , "Sweet's Bread"
1-14 : It's De-lovely (4'52), "Interwoven"

CD2
2-1 : Am I blue (7'31) (from April session, issued on CORAL CRL57149 : "Jazz Cornucopia")
2-2 : Home Brew (4'57) (from august session, issued on CORAL CRL57149 : "Jazz Cornucopia")

The 4 following tunes were recorded live at the Town Hall, NYC, in May 16, 1958. The baritone saxophonist was Pepper Adams.

2-3 : My Funny Valentine (4'34)
2-4 : Blues Over Easy Part 1 (11'18)
2-5 : Blues Over Easy Part 2 (8'02)
2-6 : A little Eye-Opener (4'44)

PLANET MEDIA PML 1072

This British label presents a live performance of the Gerry Mulligan Quartet. 13 tracks are presented on this CD. There is no information about the date, place and musicians.
Two songs were rarely played the GM"4" : "Birth of the Blues", "Yardbird Suite". So I thought at the Stockholm concert in may 17 1957. This was the good choice, this CD includes 12 of the 15 tracks previously issued. "Tune up", "Come Out Wherever You Are" and the Interview are not presented on this CD:

1. Birth of the Blues (4min39)
2. Open Country (5min14)
3. I can't get started (5min52)
4. Yardbird Suite (this track is cut after 4min32 against 5min53 for this other issues)
5. Baubles,Bangles and beads (5min22)
6. Frenesi (3min48)
7. Walking Shoes (6min36)
8. Moonlight in Vermont (4min17)
9. My funny Valentine (5min17)
10. Lullaby of the Leaves (3min57)
11. Blues at the Roots (8min50)
12. Bernie's tune (5min45)

The thirteenth track of this CD is "Out of Nowhere" (5min30), misidentified as "JERU on many previous issues (LPs or CDs), this beautiful Mulligan improvisation was recorded in LA, the July 7, 1960 with Claude Williamson (p), Buddy Clarke (b), Mel Lewis (d) .

1. Phil URSO QUINTET "SALUTE CHET BAKER" JAZZED MEDIA 1001

This is a new album of Phil Urso !!!! Recorded at the edited in 2003.

The quintet; composed by Phil Urso (ts), Car Saunders (tp), Colin Gieg (b), Keith Waters (p), Paul Romaine (d); played a new interpretation of Line For Lyons (7min51s)

MAY 30 2004 LOS ANGELES, THE FOUR POINTS SHERATON

I have received a beautiful 2 Home-CD box.
The orchestra was composed of : Lanny Morgan (as), Kim Richmond, Doug Webb (ts), Bob Efford (bs),Charlie Loper, Andy Martin, Phil Teele (tb), Bobby Shew, Carl Saunders, Steve Huffsteter (tp),Putter Smith (b), Kevin Kanner (d)

This orchestra was directed by Bob Brookmeyer and had as special guest the famous baritone saxophonist Scott Robinson !!

They played the following songs. I indicate the music time:

1. Castle Of My dreams (3min49)
2. I Know, Don't Know How (6min13)
3. Out Of This World (4mn03)
4. Go Home (7min33)
5. Barbara's Theme (4min32)
6. 18 Carrots For Rabbits (6mn13)
7. Bweebida Bobbida (6min32)
8. My Funny Valentine (4min32)
9. Weep (5min38)
10. Come Rain Or Come Shine 4min37)
11. Broadway (6min37)
12. Summer's Over (5min32)
13. I'm Gonna Go Fishing (7min26)

GREAT JAZZ STANDARDS WITH PHIL WOODS MAY 30 2004 LOS ANGELES, THE FOUR POINTS SHERATON Guest : Phil Woods (as, cl), Don Shelton, Brian Scanlan (reeds) Bob Carr (bs), Scott Whitfield, Rich Bullock (tb), Frank Szabo , Jack Sheldon (tp), Stephanie O'Keefe (fhr), Christian Jacob (p), Chris Connes (b), Paul Keibich (d), Brad Dutz (vib), Marty Paich (Arranger)

They played one Mulligan song : Walking Shoes (3min39). The soloist was Phil Woods !!!!

This is a copy from the ASC LP-10. This LP covers various radio broadcasts in 1953, but more particularly the April 25, 1953 session. This one includes an interpretation of "Walking Shoes" (2min11s). The others played songs are : "Opus In Pastel", "23 West", "All The Things You Are", "Taking A Chance On Love", "You Go To My Head", "Peanuts Vendor".

Three other takes comes from various broadcasts :

1. "I Got It Bad" - May 1953, AFRS All Star Parade of Bands no. 10
2. "Round Robin" - Either May 2, 1953 or AFRS All Star Parade of Bands no. 5
3. "Stardust" - no information

5. Stan KENTON "LIVE AT THE MACUMBER CLUB

PART TWO MAGIC DAWE CD 53

This November 17, 1956, the Stan Kenton Orchestra really played at the MACUMBA Club in San Francisco (Ca); "Macumber" is only a typography error on the cover.

This second volume presents an interpretation of "Swinghouse" (5min45). The solo order is Ken Larsen (tb), Lennie Niehaus (as), Bill Perkins (ts), Richie Kamuca (ts), Pepper Adams (bs), Lee Katzman (tp).

Pepper Adams is also the soloist of "My funny Valentine".

This Vocalion CD, issued in 2003, is composed by three Ted Heath's LPs : "Listen To My Music", "Ted Heath Selection", and "Swings in Hi-Fi".

From this last LP, Ted Heath played "Walking Shoes (2min48), recorded in 1953, December 12 ! The solo order is piano, alto saxophone and at the end a short baritone saxophone solo.

At last I get this Joe Pass CD !! The Joe Pass Quartet, composed by Joe Pass (acoustic and electric guitars), John Pisano (acoustic guitar), Jim Hughart (b), Colin Bailey (d), recorded the Gerry Mulligan - Zoot Sims song "The Red Door" (4min50) at the Group IV Recording studio in Hollywood (Ca) , in August 9 - 11, 1990.

Joe Pass play swingingly all along this song !

The fine trumpet player Tom Kirkpatrick opens his "Tribute to Chet Baker" CD by a good interpretation of "Line for Lyons" (8min02). I appreciate very much his playing.

A very nice album of the singer Susannah McCorkle. With Ken Peplowski (musical director, cl, ts), Emily Remler (g), Dave Frishberg (p), John Goldsby (b), Terry Clarke (d) she marvelously sung the too rare Mulligan original "The Ballad Of Pearly Sue" (5min41). Susannah McCorkle sings all along this interpretation, only some tenor saxophone or piano counter-points are played by Ken Peplowski or Dave Frishberg, respectively.

This album was recorded at the Penny Lane Studio in NYC, October 1988.

- PROGRESSIVE JAZZ VOCALION CDLF8103

Recently issued, This CD presents the Mulligan's arrangements played by the Vic Lewis Orchestra in January 1954 at London for Decca Records. The lastest issue was a Mole LP( NO. 9).

The songs are :

1. Bweebida Bobbida*
2. Nights At The Turntable
3. Westwood Walk
4. Sextet
5. Bark For Barksdale
6. Limelight*
7. Walking Shoes*
8. Line for Lyons

Gerry Mulligan arranged only (*) and Johnny Keating, the others.

1. MARCIAC 1993 : GERRY MULLIGAN PHOTOGRAPHIES

This summer I went to Marciac for his famous festival "Jazz In Marciac".

Marciac is normally a quiet village in Gers Country. But during half a month This village become one of the biggest Jazz Festivals in the World. Receiving about 6000-7000 persons a day !

I saw there three great concerts :

1. August 10 : Take 6, Bobby McFerrin with Joe Zawinul Trio
2. August 12 : André Ceccarelli & Friends, Ahmad Jamal Trio
3. August 13 : Ray Barretto quintet & Orchestra, Eddie Palmieri orchestra

Gerry Mulligan played in Marciac in 1991 with his quartet and in 1993 with a sextet including Lee Konitz and Bob Brookmeyer as guests !

Unhappily Marciac is in the South-West of France and Metz in the North-East !! 1200 km !!!! This only during this spring 2004 that I learnt that I had cousins of my wife who live at only 15 km of Marciac and that they will be very happy to receive us !!!!

During the afternoon I went regularly in the central place of this village to hear many jazz combos and also to try to find in the various shops infos or CDs about Gerry Mulligan. I noticed the shop of the professional photograph Francis Roch. He was present at Marciac in 1993 and he realized some very good pictures of Gerry. His e-mail address is : francis.roche10@wanadoo.fr

I received a photocopy of the flyer presenting this concert. This is the first time that I heard of this performance.

The Modern Jazz Society of Hunter College presented a concert of THIRD STREAM music by ORCHESTRA U.S.A, the conductors were Gunther Schuller and John Lewis, the featured soloists : Eric Dolphy, Jim Hall, Connie Kay, Richard Davis, the concert started at 8.30 PM, this friday evening November 29, 1963 at the Hunter College Assembly Hall. This was the opening program of the 1963-64 season

The flyer indicated that the program will include :

• World premiere of a new work by John Lewis composed for Gerry Mulligan and Orchestra U.S.A.
• First American performance of "Concerto No. 2" and "Intima" by the brillant young Yugoslav composer, Miljenko Prohaska.
• Selection from "European Windows" by John Lewis, featuring Gerry Mulligan, baritone saxophone soloist.
• Pretty Little Gypsy" by Gary McFarland, featuring Gerry Mulligan, clarinet soloist.
• Improvisations by Gerry Mulligan and the Orchestra U.S.A. Sextet

The flyer presents also a nice photo by Burt Goldblat showing Gunther Schuller, John Lewis and Gerry Mulligan in rehearsal.

New information about this incredible event, information from the Orchestra U.S.A. discography found in the web site. A work realized by Michael Fitzgerald, Eric Dolphy (f, bcl, as), Don Ashworth, Ed Caine, Wally Kane, Jerome Richardson, Ray Shiner, Don Stewart (wood wind), Louis Mucci, Joe Newman, Nick Travis (tp), Robert Northem, Robert Swisshelm (frh), Mike Zwerin (tb), Harvey Philips (tu), Jim Hall (g), John Lewis (p, dir), Richard Davis (b), Connie Kaye (d), Michael Colgrass, Harold Faberman (per), Gerald Beal, Lewis Eley, Gino Sambuco, Jerry Widoff (vln), Julie, Barber, Aaron Juvelier (viola), Alfred Bartles, Joseph Tekula (cello), Gunther Schuller (con) - Special Guest : Gerry Mulligan (bar)

1. Fugue In D Minor (J. S. Bach)
2. Concerto No. 2 For Orchestra (Miljenko Prohaska)
3. Natural Affection (John Lewis)
4. Donnie's Theme (John Lewis)
5. England's Carol (John Lewis)
6. Cortege (John Lewis)
7. The Queen's Fancy (John Lewis)
8. Improvisation (collective improvisation)
9. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You (George Bassman, Ned Washington)
10. I Should Care (Sammy Kahn, Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston)
11. Silver (John Lewis)
12. Intima (Miljenko Prohaska)
13. Pretty Little Gypsy (Gary McFarland)

Gerry Mulligan plays only on e, f, g, h, k

Complete personnel on : a, b, c, d, e, f, g, k, l, m ; but on h. Mulligan, Hall, Lewis, Davis, Kaye only

i. Hall solo

j. Lewis, Davis only

For the fans of Gerry Mulligan, the name of Gordon Jack is associated at this famous baritone saxophonist. He is one of the great collectors ! Working for Jazz Journal International he interviewed during the 90s a lot of the west coast jazz men. Many of them played with Gerry Mulligan and this book contains a lot of new and very interesting informations about Gerry Mulligan.The list of 30 interviews is as follows :Gene Allen - Mose Allison - Dave Bailey - Chuck Berghofer - Eddie Bert - Bob Brookmeyer - Larry Bunker - Pete Christlieb - Bill Crow - Joe Dodge - Bob Enevoldsen - Don Ferrara - Herb Geller - Corky Hale - Chico Hamilton - Peter Ind - Frank Isola - Lee Konitz - Stan Levey - Jack Montrose - Gerry Mulligan - Lennie Niehaus - Jack Nimitz - Hod O'Brien - Bill Perkins - Bud Shank - Carson Smith - Phil Urso - Bob Whitlock - Phil Woods.

To get more information you can go on the "Scarecrow Press Web-site":

Enter 'Scarecrow Press' on the internet. - Click on 'Welcome to the Scarecrow Press'. - Click on 'What's New'. - Click on 'New titles for September'. - Click on 'Fifties Jazz Talk'. You will then see reviews for the book by Bill Crow and Alun Morgan.