When jazz giants Gerry Mulligan and Ben Webster collaborated for this legendary 1959 session, history was made, as was a classic record for the ages. From the first to last note you will hear what made jazz what it is: communication and interaction. The tunes are lush and emotional, driven along by a rhythm section that swings with just the right amount of bop.

• Limited Edition (2500 units)
• Numbered Edition
• Deluxe Laminated Gatefold Cover
• Double LP Audiophile 180 Gram Vinyl
• Pressed at Pallas in Germany
• Mastered by Bernie Grundman
• Cut from the Original Analog Master Tapes

"In listening to Gerry Mulligan," Dave Brubeck once said,"you feel as if you're listening to the past, present, and future of jazz, all in one tune, and yet it's done with such taste and respect that you're not ever aware of a change in idom". The rhythm section for this date is uncommonly right for the Webster-Mulligan meeting. Rowles, Lewis, and Vinnegar all base their playing on a knowledge of 'the history of the language' they're using, and all three have secure, relaxed time. Furthermore, all three get solid, rounded sounds from their instruments..." - from liner notes by Nat Hentoff

"..... with music this good you need a break after each tune to regain your emotional composure." - HiFi Plus Magazine

Gerry Mulligan’s sessions with Ben Webster, Johnny Hodges and Paul Desmond belong in every well-stocked LP collection of jazz fans all over the globe. But if you happen to have missed out, then here’s the chance to buy a fantastic, top notch re-release and put the needle to the groove as fast as you can. From first to last, you will hear what made jazz what it is – from its beginnings around 1900 up to the present day: communication and interaction. Two highly sensitive, top calibre musicians – neither of them easy men to deal with – were invited into the Verve Studio towards the end of 1959. Here they prepared themselves well, practiced together, and devoted themselves to six numbers in a relaxed atmosphere of mutual respect where neither attempted to blast away the other. The numbers all come from the Duke Ellington Songbook and Gerry Mulligan’s own, and are a sure guarantee for the best of the best. It must be mentioned that one of the best rhythm groups of westcoast jazz – Jimmy Rowles, Leroy Vinegar and Mel Lewis – provide the amazingly sensitive background for these two giants of mainstream jazz. The excellent recording technique of the Verve Studio in Los Angeles ensures that even 50 years later every single note played on baritone and tenor saxophones is sheer pleasure.

Recording: November and December 1959 in Los Angeles
Production: Norman Granz

Musicians:

Gerry Mulligan, baritone sax
Ben Webster, tenor sax
Jimmy Rowles, piano
Leroy Vinnegar, bass
Mel Lewis, drums

Track Listing:

1. Chelsea Bridge
2. The Cat Walk
3. Sunday
4. Who's Got Rhythm
5. Tell Me When
6. Go Home

Click here to listen to samples on YouTube.com ♫