Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

April 6, 1927 in New York City, NY

Death

:

January 20, 1996 in Darien, CT

Genre

:

Band

 

Gerry Mulligan was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and arranger who was born on April 6, 1927, in Queens, New York. He was the son of George Mulligan, a piano player, and Louise Mulligan, a singer. Mulligan grew up in a musical family and started playing the piano at the age of six. However, he switched to the saxophone when he was 14 years old, and it became his primary instrument. Mulligan's early musical influences were the big bands of the 1930s and 1940s, such as those led by Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie. He also admired the saxophonists Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins. Mulligan attended the New York City High School of Music and Art, where he studied music theory and composition. In the late 1940s, Mulligan began playing in small jazz groups in New York City. He played with musicians such as Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, and Chet Baker. In 1952, Mulligan formed his own quartet, which included Chet Baker on trumpet, Carson Smith on bass, and Larry Bunker on drums. The group became known for its cool jazz style, which was characterized by a relaxed, understated approach to improvisation. In 1954, Mulligan and Baker recorded the album "Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Chet Baker," which became a best-seller and helped to popularize the cool jazz style. The album included the hit song "My Funny Valentine," which became a jazz standard. Mulligan and Baker continued to play together for several years, recording several more albums and touring extensively. In addition to his work as a performer, Mulligan was also a prolific composer and arranger. He wrote many original compositions, including "Walkin' Shoes," "Line for Lyons," and "Jeru." He also arranged music for other musicians, including Miles Davis, Stan Kenton, and Johnny Hodges. Mulligan's career was marked by many highlights and achievements. In 1955, he won the Down Beat magazine poll for baritone saxophonist of the year. He also won the poll in 1956, 1957, and 1958. In 1958, he won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Group for the album "The Gerry Mulligan Quartet." Mulligan continued to perform and record throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He played with many different musicians and groups, including the Dave Brubeck Quartet, the Thelonious Monk Quartet, and the Concert Jazz Band. He also recorded several albums with his own groups, including the Gerry Mulligan Concert Jazz Band and the Gerry Mulligan Quartet. In the 1980s, Mulligan began to suffer from health problems, including arthritis and emphysema. However, he continued to perform and record, and he remained an influential figure in the jazz world. In 1992, he was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame. Mulligan died on January 20, 1996, at the age of 68. He left behind a legacy as one of the most important and influential saxophonists and composers in the history of jazz. His contributions to the cool jazz style and his innovative approach to improvisation continue to inspire musicians today.

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