Jazz Review: Gerry Mulligan & Thelonious Monk

Mulligan Meets Monk

  • Saturday, December 20, 2003
  • Ken Dryden

Gerry Mulligan & Thelonious Monk
Mulligan Meets Monk
Riverside 1106

This recording came about in 1957 by chance. Thelonious Monk, in the midst of his extremely productive output for Riverside, was accompanied by baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan to run an errand at the label's office. When producer and label co-owner Orrin Keepnews saw them together, he suggested doing a recording.

I interviewed Mulligan in 1995 and he seemed a bit ambivalent about his performance on the date, as he hadn't worked with the pianist before and there was little time to rehearse. But Monk's dissonant playing complements Mulligan's gorgeous tone. While the rendition of "'Round Midnight" may seem a bit conservative compared to Monk's many other versions available elsewhere, Mulligan is truly inspired in the brisk take of "Rhythm-a-Ning"(Monk's recasting of the chord changes to "I Got Rhythm"), with Monk even ducking out to let his guest be backed by bassist Wilbur Ware and drummer Shadow Wilson. "Sweet and Lovely" is another gem, with Monk's wild changes failing to distract Mulligan.

Mulligan devours the pianist's loping blues "Straight, No Chaser" with his spirited solo. Likewise, Monk immediately takes to Mulligan's buoyant original "Decidedly."

This 20-bit remastering adds four alternate takes not included on the original record. In spite of any reservations that Gerry Mulligan may have had about his performance on this session (and he strongly
disapproved of labels releasing alternate takes or unissued material on re-releases), this historic (and sadly, only) meeting between the two
giants is an essential disc for any jazz lover.

(Over the past 15 years, Ken Dryden has contributed reviews as a freelance jazz critic to many publications and web sites, including the All Music Guide, All About Jazz, and Cadence. He has also written liner notes for CDs by Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass, and an upcoming title by pianist Jaki Byard (The Last From Lennie’s), which was released Nov. 4 by Fantasy Records. Ken also produced “Timeless Jazz” on WUTC-FM from 1987-2002. He can be reached at
Ken-Dryden@utc.edu)

Ken Dryden
Ken-Dryden@utc.edu


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