Mulligan & Baker - Carnegie Hall Concert

CARNEGIE HALL CONCERT is a compilation of material from the original CTI releases: "Carnegie Hall Concerts, Volume 1 & 2". Personnel includes: Chet Baker (trumpet); Gerry Mulligan (saxophone); Dave Samuels (vibraphone); Bob James (keyboards); John Scofield (guitar); Ron Carter (bass); Harvey Mason (drums). This 1974 release finds Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker together in a live setting. The two jazz paragons hadn't worked together in 10 years, but from the first downbeat it's evident that they still possess the musical rapport they'd developed as young men. Taking the West Coast by storm 22 years earlier with their famed pianoless quartet, Mulligan and Baker had the keen ability to work almost as one performer. This is clearly evident on "Bernie's Tune," where they trade licks on the tune's bridge in articulate, fluid gestures, almost as one player. Despite their substance abuse, Baker and Mulligan grew as improvisers over many years performing on concert stages and in jazz clubs. This album is testament to their ability to adapt and embrace modern jazz stylings. When they hark back to their roots on compositions such as "My Funny Valentine" and "Line For Lyons," they play with a kind of casual, relaxed swing indicative of the '50s cool jazz feel they helped create.