Modern Sounds - Gerry Mulligan & Shorty Rogers

 

Popo (Rogers)

Simbah (Mulligan)

Gene Norman Presents

Modern Sounds

Gerry Mulligan & His Tentette

Shorty Rogers & His Giants

Capitol Records T691

1956

Personnel 

Side One:

Shorty Rogers - Trumpet

Art Pepper - Alto Saxophone

Jimmy Giuffre - Tenor Sax

Gene England - Tuba

John Graas - French Horn

Hampton Hawes - Piano

Don Bagley - Bass

Shelly Mann - Drums

Side Two:

Gerry Mulligan - Baritone Saxophone

Bud Shank - Alto Saxophone

Don Davidson - Baritone Saxophone

Chet Baker, Pete Condoli - Trumpets

Bob Enevoldsen - Trombone

John Graas - French Horn

Ray Siegal - Tuba

Joe Mondragon - Bass

Chico Hamilton or Larry Bunker - Drums

From the back cover: These were key dates for some of the sidemen as well as for the leaders and general jazz thinking. The men are scattered now; eleven of the eighteen have had their own dates, and an even larger proportion will probably figure in music polls for years to come.

Comparison of the two main figures and their music many reveal similarities, but there is little resemblance in physical appearance. Except that both have worn beards off an on, most every aspect is different. Gerry is tall, lean, and fair, constructed something like a soft-shoe dancer. Shorty is short, dark, and stocky, built along the lines of a diminutive blacksmith. And although both men are known for their humorous sides, Shorty is more the urchin type; Gerry is somewhat wry.

Other personal angles reveal parallels, however; both are easterners, with records of much activity in California jazz – Rogers as a steady settler, and Mulligan starting his historic quartet and recording heavily in Hollywood. Both men have a spare nickname, derived from their better known ones: Shorty's friend sometimes call him Shorts; Gerry is also known as Jeru. And while none would begrudge Jeru salaams for his soloing, nor diminish Shorts stature as a trumpeter, they both enjoy more prestige from their writing than four their blowing. Yet their playing and writing combined don't give the full picture; each has been a hub for an impressive amount of jazz activity. Unquestionably, each deserves the rank of Ace for his service to the Hot wing of American music: they have climbed high to fight off jazz's formidable enemy – stagnation – thus clearing the air for future exploration. - Will MacFarland

Four Mothers 

Didi

Sam And The Lady

Popo

Over The Rainbow

Apropos recorded October, 1951, in Hollywood

Westwood Walk

Simbah

Walking Shoes

Rocker

A Ballad

Taking A Chance On Love recorded January, 1953, in Hollywood