Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster
Encyclopedia
Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster, also simply called Meets Ben Webster, is a 1959 album featuring the November 3 - December 2 studio sessions of American
jazz
musicians Gerry Mulligan
and Ben Webster
. In a 2003 review, All That Jazz described this album as the most notable example of Gerry Mulligan's work partnering other legendary figures of jazz. The album, as a "classic album from two giants", is featured in NPR's "Basic Jazz Record Library". Originally released on the Verve
label, the album was reissued by Verve, Mobile Fidelity
and Polygram many times before being re-released in an expanded edition called Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster (Complete) by Verve in 1997.
.
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
musicians Gerry Mulligan
Gerry Mulligan
Gerald Joseph "Gerry" Mulligan was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and arranger. Though Mulligan is primarily known as one of the leading baritone saxophonists in jazz history – playing the instrument with a light and airy tone in the era of cool jazz – he was also...
and Ben Webster
Ben Webster
Benjamin Francis Webster , a.k.a. "The Brute" or "Frog," was an influential American jazz tenor saxophonist. Webster, born in Kansas City, Missouri, was considered one of the three most important "swing tenors" along with Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young...
. In a 2003 review, All That Jazz described this album as the most notable example of Gerry Mulligan's work partnering other legendary figures of jazz. The album, as a "classic album from two giants", is featured in NPR's "Basic Jazz Record Library". Originally released on the Verve
Verve Records
Verve Records is an American jazz record label now owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded by Norman Granz in 1956, absorbing the catalogues of his earlier labels, Clef Records and Norgran Records , and material which had been licensed to Mercury previously.-Jazz and folk origins:The Verve...
label, the album was reissued by Verve, Mobile Fidelity
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab is a company known as an innovator in the production of audiophile-quality sound recordings. All releases are advertised as being produced from the first-generation analog master recordings, and using proprietary technology, which MFSL claims allows for improved sound...
and Polygram many times before being re-released in an expanded edition called Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster (Complete) by Verve in 1997.
1959 track listing
Except where otherwise noted, all songs composed by Gerry MulliganGerry Mulligan
Gerald Joseph "Gerry" Mulligan was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and arranger. Though Mulligan is primarily known as one of the leading baritone saxophonists in jazz history – playing the instrument with a light and airy tone in the era of cool jazz – he was also...
.
- "Chelsea Bridge" (Billy StrayhornBilly StrayhornWilliam Thomas "Billy" Strayhorn was an American composer, pianist and arranger, best known for his successful collaboration with bandleader and composer Duke Ellington lasting nearly three decades. His compositions include "Chelsea Bridge", "Take the "A" Train" and "Lush Life".-Early...
) – 7:22 - "The Cat Walk" (Mulligan, Ben WebsterBen WebsterBenjamin Francis Webster , a.k.a. "The Brute" or "Frog," was an influential American jazz tenor saxophonist. Webster, born in Kansas City, Missouri, was considered one of the three most important "swing tenors" along with Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young...
) – 5:47 - "Sunday" (Chester ConnChester ConnChester Conn , sometimes spelled Chester Cohn, was an American composer of popular music.Conn's best-known song is the jazz standard "Sunday", which he wrote with Jule Styne, Ned Miller, and Benny Krueger...
, Bennie Krueger, Nathan "Ned" MillerNathan "Ned" MillerNathan 'Ned' Miller was a British-born American songwriter, composer, music publisher, and actor who wrote the hit songs, "Why Should I Cry Over You", in 1922, "Sunday" in 1926, and "Little Joe" in 1931...
, Jule StyneJule StyneJule Styne was a British-born American songwriter especially famous for a series of Broadway musicals, which included several very well known and frequently revived shows.-Early life:...
) – 7:25 - "Who's Got Rhythm" – 7:42
- "Tell Me When" – 5:06
- "Go Home" – 10:04
CD bonus tracks
- "In a Mellow ToneIn a Mellow Tone"In a Mellow Tone", also known as "In a Mellotone", is a 1939 jazz standard composed by Duke Ellington, with lyrics written by Milt Gabler. The song was based on the 1917 standard "Rose Room" by Art Hickman and Harry Williams...
" (Duke EllingtonDuke EllingtonEdward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
, Milt GablerMilt GablerMilton Gabler was an American record producer, responsible for many innovations in the recording industry of the 20th century.-Early life:...
) – 6:57 - "What Is This Thing Called Love?What Is This Thing Called Love?"What Is This Thing Called Love?"is a 1929 popular song written by Cole Porter, for the musical Wake Up and Dream. It was first performed by Elsie Carlisle in March 1929. The song has become a popular jazz standard and one of Porter's most often played compositions.Wake Up and Dream ran for 263...
" (Cole PorterCole PorterCole Albert Porter was an American composer and songwriter. Born to a wealthy family in Indiana, he defied the wishes of his domineering grandfather and took up music as a profession. Classically trained, he was drawn towards musical theatre...
) – 7:28 - "For Bessie" (Webster) – 5:41
- "Fajista" (Webster) – 5:50
- "Blues in B Flat" – 7:22
1997 "Complete" track listing"
Except where otherwise noted, all songs composed by Gerry MulliganGerry Mulligan
Gerald Joseph "Gerry" Mulligan was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and arranger. Though Mulligan is primarily known as one of the leading baritone saxophonists in jazz history – playing the instrument with a light and airy tone in the era of cool jazz – he was also...
.
- "In a Mellow Tone" (Ellington, Gabler) – 7:20
- "In a Mellow Tone (alternate take)" (Ellington, Gabler) – 5:44
- "What Is This Thing Called Love?" (Porter) – 7:22
- "Chelsea Bridge (original LP master take)" (Strayhorn) – 7:39
- "Chelsea Bridge (alterate take)" (Strayhorn) – 5:03
- "Go Home (alternate take)" – 10:01
- "Go Home (original LP master take)" – 6:54
- "Who's Got Rhythm? (original LP master take)" – 7:26
- "For Bessie" (Webster) – 5:38
- "Go Home" (Mulligan, Webster) – 1:44
- "Go Home" (Mulligan, Webster) – 1:30
- "Fajista (alternate take)" (Webster) – 1:34
- "Fajista (alternate take)" (Webster) – 6:21
- "Fajista (alternate take)" (Webster) – 1:37
- "Fajista" (Webster) – 5:58
- "Tell Me When" – 5:02
- "Tell Me When (alternate take)" – 5:29
- "Blues in B Flat (alternate take)" – 2:46
- "Blues in B Flat" – 8:38
- "Blues in B Flat (alternate take)" – 7:23
- "The Catwalk (alternate take)" – 3:26
- "The Catwalk (alternate take)" – 5:45
- "The Catwalk (original LP master take)" – 2:13
- "The Catwalk (alterate take)" – 6:19
- "Sunday" (Conn, Krueger, Miller, Styne) – 5:32
- "Sunday" (Conn, Krueger, Miller, Styne) – 7:21
Personnel
- Benny CarterBenny CarterBennett Lester Carter was an American jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. He was a major figure in jazz from the 1930s to the 1990s, and was recognized as such by other jazz musicians who called him King...
- performer - Norman GranzNorman GranzNorman Granz was an American jazz music impresario and producer.Granz was a fundamental figure in American jazz, especially from about 1947 to 1960...
- producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music... - Mel LewisMel LewisMel Lewis was an American drummer, jazz musician and band leader. He was born Melvin Sokoloff in Buffalo, New York to Russian immigrant parents....
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Gerry MulliganGerry MulliganGerald Joseph "Gerry" Mulligan was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and arranger. Though Mulligan is primarily known as one of the leading baritone saxophonists in jazz history – playing the instrument with a light and airy tone in the era of cool jazz – he was also...
- baritone saxophoneBaritone saxophoneThe baritone saxophone, often called "bari sax" , is one of the largest and lowest pitched members of the saxophone family. It was invented by Adolphe Sax. The baritone is distinguished from smaller sizes of saxophone by the extra loop near its mouthpiece...
, performer - Jimmy RowlesJimmy RowlesJimmy Rowles was an American jazz pianist who was best known as an accompanist. He also released a number of albums under his own name, and explored various idioms including swing and cool jazz. - Biography :Born in Spokane, Washington, Rowles studied at Gonzaga College in Spokane, Washington...
- pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Phil SchaapPhil SchaapPhil Schaap is an American jazz disc jockey, historian, archivist and producer. He hosts a daily morning radio program on 89.9 FM New York, WKCR, the radio station of Columbia University, his alma mater, in New York City. The show, called Bird Flight, is broadcast from 8:20 am–9:30 am on weekdays...
- liner notesLiner notesLiner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:... - Leroy VinnegarLeroy VinnegarLeroy Vinnegar was an American jazz bassist.Born in Indianapolis, the self-taught Vinnegar established his reputation in Los Angeles during the 1950s and 1960s. His trademark was the rhythmic "walking" bass line, a steady series of ascending or descending notes, and it brought him the nickname...
- double bassDouble bassThe double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2... - Ben WebsterBen WebsterBenjamin Francis Webster , a.k.a. "The Brute" or "Frog," was an influential American jazz tenor saxophonist. Webster, born in Kansas City, Missouri, was considered one of the three most important "swing tenors" along with Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young...
- tenor saxophoneTenor saxophoneThe tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble...
, performer