Mulligan Meets Monk (Remastered 2025 / Mono Mix) Gerry Mulligan

• 1 Round Midnight (Remastered 2025 / Mono Mix) 08:27
• 2 Rhythm-A-Ning (Remastered 2025 / Mono Mix) 05:17
• 3 Sweet And Lovely (Remastered 2025 / Mono Mix) 07:15
• 4 Decidedly (Remastered 2025 / Mono Mix) 06:36
• 5 Straight, No Chaser (Remastered 2025 / Mono Mix) 07:00
• 6 I Mean You (Remastered 2025 / Mono Mix) 06:52
• Total Runtime 41:27

Info for Mulligan Meets Monk (Remastered 2025 / Mono Mix)

Thelonious Monk was a creator in the true sense of the word. The current recording includes one of his rare albums that could fit within the standard formula of “jazz star 1 meets jazz star 2”. The pianist seldom shared the bill with other stars (which could compromise his own musical individuality) or accepted playing second fiddle to anyone. Two rare exceptions include his two 1950 sides backing singer Frankie Passions (“Especially to You” and “Nobody Knows”), and his June 6, 1950 studio session backing Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. (Thelonious wasn’t working a lot during that period and Bird made a point of getting him on the date.) But Monk is the leader on the vast majority of his recordings, and in a way he was also the leading voice on this meeting with Gerry Mulligan. Most of the tunes played here are compositions by Monk, with the exception of the standard “Sweet and Lovely” – a favorite of Monk’s, who recorded it dozens of times – and CharlieShavers’ “Undecided”, which could well have been Gerry’s only call for the evening. Although it remains clearly recognizable, the latter tune was slightly modified here, retitled “Decidedly”, and attributed to Mulligan himself. No other recording of “Undecided” by Monk is known to exist. Mulligan would record this title again with Stan Getz in 1966 (also under the title “Decidedly” for the album Something Borrowed, Something Blue).

As the original producer Orrin Keepnews pointed out, “’Round Midnight” was a Mulligan request, as he wanted to record the song with its composer. It is clearly one of the best tracks of the whole album. However, the fact that no new compositions by Monk were recorded on this date seems to indicate that Monk always preferred to make his own albums and didn’t dedicate too much time to such experiments as Mulligan Meets Monk, which he may have regarded as a “commercial” venture.

"Mulligan Meets Monk documents the 1957 meeting of two sharp musical minds. Though the pairing may seem unlikely, baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan -- whose cool, West Coast style blends dexterity with laid-back grace -- and Thelonious Monk -- whose radical, angular piano playing and thoroughly modern compositions are blueprints for the possibilities of bop -- sound remarkable together. In fact, it is the contrast between the players' styles that lends this set its balance and appeal. The program, which includes four compositions by Monk and one by Mulligan, is unassailable. Mulligan acquits himself admirably on the Monk classics "'Round Midnight," "Rhythm-a-ning," and "Straight, No Chaser," unfurling his smooth tone over their zigzagging melodies and ambitious scalar architecture. Mulligan's "Decidedly," a bright bop workout, fits easily alongside Monk's tunes, especially with the help of Monk's off-kilter, accented comping. Bassist Wilbur Ware and drummer Shadow Wilson lend solid support to the spirited playing of the two leaders, making this top-notch session -- with its great tunes, chemistry, and soloing -- a true classic." (Anthony Tognazzini, AMG)

Gerry Mulligan, baritone saxophone
Thelonious Monk, piano
Wilbur Ware, double bass
Shadow Wilson, drums

Recorded August 12–13, 1957 at Reeves Sound Studios, New York City
Produced by Orrin Keepnews

Digitally remastered

Gerry Mulligan
was born in 1927 in Queens Village, New York. His father was an engineer, so the family constantly relocated all over the United States when Gerry was a boy. Eventually the family settled in Reading, Pennsylvania when Gerry Mulligan was 14, and that is where he started to play music. He started first on the clarinet, but soon switched to saxophone and was playing gigs with dance bands 100 miles away in Philadelphia. Gerry moved to New York City in 1946, and eventually started to live with Gil Evans on 55th street. During this time he would collaborate with the likes of Gene Krupa, Lee Konitz, and Miles Davis. He was also considered a serious arranger, and often arranged songs for the Gene Krupa Band. Gerry Mulligan's style is laid back and melodic, with a large influence from Lester Young, but a slick and staggering command of bebop, Gerry Mulligan truly found his own niche as an improviser and arranger. Eventually Gerry Mulligan would relocate to the west coast, and make some of his most well known recordings in his piano-less quartet with Chet Baker. He would continue to play and record regularly until his death in 1995. Some of the musicians that he played with in his lifetime are, Stan Getz, Bob Brookmeyer, Dave Brubeck, Wallace Roney, Art Farmer, Teddy Wilson, Thelonious Monk, Paul Desmond, and Johnny Hodges.

This album contains no booklet.