In Sweden

A number of bootleg recordings exist of various groups led by Gerry Mulligan during the 1950s and 1960s, but this intimately recorded 1957 Stockholm concert (taped for broadcast by Radio Sweden) is one of the better albums available. The interplay between Mulligan's matchless baritone sax and Bob Brookmeyer's fluid valve trombone is superb throughout each track, and their familiarity with the material (most of which had been in the group's book for a period of time, including five tracks recorded six months earlier for Pacific Jazz) is readily apparent, as the band relies primarily on head arrangements; the excellent rhythm section includes bassist Joe Benjamin and drummer Dave Bailey. In addition to playing the already obligatory hits ("Bernie's Tune," "My Funny Valentine," "Walkin' Shoes") from Mulligan's early days leading the quartet with Chet Baker, the quartet explores Brookmeyer's still fresh "Open Country," and Mulligan's piano playing sounds a bit like Dave Brubeck on his "Blue at the Roots." The radio interview by Olle Helander is rather brief and perfunctory; the packaging to this two-record set is rather sloppy, with several unaccredited and/or incompletely titled compositions. Although Mulligan strongly objected to bootlegs, this out of print Swedish album is worth tracking down. [Impro-Jazz Spain issued a companion DVD in 2008.] ~ Ken Dryden|