Born April 1927, Gerry Mulligan was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinettist, composer and arranger. Though primarily known as one of the leading jazz baritone saxophonists- playing the instrument with a light and airy tone in the era of cool jazz, Mulligan was also a significant arranger, working with Claude Thornhill, Miles Davis, Stan Kenton, and others. His piano-less quartet of the early 1950s with trumpeter Chet Baker is still regarded as one of the best cool jazz groups. Mulligan was also a skilled pianist and played several other reed instruments. Many of his compositions, such as 'Walkin' Shoes' and 'Five Brothers', have become standards. Featuring eight original albums in all, remastered in the finest quality, this box-set compliments perfectly the aforementioned earlier Gerry Mulligan box set on Enlightenment, while equally working well as a standalone compilation of some of this Jazz pioneer's very finest work.
Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster was just one of many "meets" albums that Gerry Mulligan appeared on during the period when this classic was recorded - Nov. 3 and Dec. 2, 1959, in Los Angeles. Mulligan and Pepper Adams were the baritone saxophonists during the golden age of modern jazz, both masters of the unwieldy and deep-toned instrument. History was made here, as was a classic record for the ages. Mulligan was an innovator of the west coast cool jazz style who flourished playing with all manner of jazz musicians. The tunes he and Webster recorded are smooth, lush and emotional, driven along by a rhythm section that swings with just the right amount of bop. The result is an album that's included among NPR's "Basic Jazz Record Library." Seeking to offer definitive audiophile grade versions of some of the most historic and best jazz records ever recorded, Verve Label Group and Universal Music Enterprises' audiophile Acoustic Sounds vinyl reissue series utilizes the skills of top mastering engineers and the unsurpassed production craft of Quality Record Pressings. All titles are mastered from the original analog tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl and packaged by Stoughton Printing Co. In high-quality gatefold sleeves with tip-on jackets. The releases are supervised by Chad Kassem, CEO of Acoustic Sounds, the world's largest source for audiophile recordings.
Limited Edition - Includes 16-page booklet. This release presents all of the master takes produced during the celebrated quintet sessions co-led by Gerry Mulligan & Ben Webster and originally issued on Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster. The first six tracks included here constitute the complete original album, which received a five-star rating in Down Beat magazine. THE COMPLETE ALBUM + 5 BONUS TRACKS - CD EDITION - 11 TRACKS - TT: 77:10 - LIMITED EDITION - INCLUDES 16-PAGE BOOKLET
