From the Archives: Composer Gerry Mulligan Mixes Classical and Jazz Music.
The late jazz saxophonist, Gerry Mulligan. This week, which marks what would have been his 72nd birthday, The Library of Congress opened a permanent exhibit celebrating his life and work. Mulligan died in 1996. The exhibit includes his favorite saxophone, photographs, and musical manuscripts. He's been an innovator in modern jazz orchestration. Early in his career he was staff arranger for Gene Krupa's big band. In 1949 he collaborated with Gil Evans and Miles Davis in the Nonet. The nine-piece band shook up jazz arrangers and launched the era of so-called cool jazz. He achieved international acclaim when he started a "pianoless" quartet with trumpeter Chet Baker in the early 1950's. (Rebroadcast of 12/18/1989)
Other segments from the episode on April 9, 1999
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