David Larsen - The Mulligan Chronicles

David Larsen - The Mulligan Chronicles -Self-produced

Saxophonist-educator-composer David Larsen's exploration into Gerry Mulligan's compositions has culminated in "The Mulligan Chronicles." Larsen says, "In my studies, I traveled to the Library of Congress to view hundreds of Gerry Mulligan's handwritten scores and interview countless musicians." Larsen has put together a repertoire that ranges from early to later Mulligan compositions. On baritone sax, he has recruited for this effort musicians who all had an association with Mulligan. Trombonist Dave Glenn played 2nd trombone for Gerry Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band, while Pianist Bill Mays worked with Gerry off and on since the 1980s. Bassist Dean Johnson worked with Gerry for almost all of his later career, and drummer Ron Vincent joined Gerry's working quartet in the 1990s. It is a band that is true to Mulligan's music's spirit and style while the members bring their voices.

The relaxed loping groove of "Walkin' Shoes" starts with Larsen takes a burly solo followed by the other quintet members that capture the feel of a 50s World Pacific or Prestige recording. Larsen is a strong player and leader and takes the group through various settings such as the light swinger, "Curtains," with Larsen and Glenn trading choruses, or the moody tribute to Monk, "Good Neighbor Thelonious," with a superlative Mays solo. There is the delight of the call and response of the horns playing the head of "Festive Minor."

On "Idol Gossip," Larsen and the ensemble ably handle the brisker tempo with a particularly burly baritone sax solo from the leader. This track is followed by a lively rendition of the Latin rhythms of "Rico Apollo." Larsen and Mays further shine on "The Flying Scotsman" with its shifting motifs, while "Out Back of the Barn" has a down-home, bluesy feel. Glenn plays with a touch of gutbucket here. Larsen exhibits a more reflective tone on a lovely ballad, "Etude For France."

Combining Gerry Mulligan's compositions with first-rate, straight-ahead playing, David Larsen has produced the memorable "The Mulligan Chronicles."

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here David Larsen leads the group on "Walkin' Shoes."

Take 5 With Jimmy Witherspoon

While I only had the pelasure to see Jimmy Witherspoon perform once live, I was long a fan of his recordings. while often compared to his idol, Big Joe Turner, he was also a terrific Ballad singer. For this short playlist, I start with what was a major hit for him, "Ain't Nobody's Business," with Jay McShann on piano.

Spoon was one of the blue singers who often was backed by some of the greatest jazz players. His recordings with tenor saxophonist Ben Webster were special. He heis live at the Renaissance Club in LA with Jimmy Rowles on piano and Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax doing Leroy Carr's "How Long How Long Blues."

 The first Jimmy Witherspoon album I purchased was "Evenin' Blues," on Prestige. The session included T-Bone Walker on guitar and Clifford Scott on tenor sax. Here is "Money Is Getting Cheaper," a remake of "Times Getting Tougher Then Tough," which I believe was the first track of this album.

I would be remiss if I did not include a selection from his recordings with blues-rock guitarist, Robben Ford. What might have seemed an unlikely partnership, was actually one that worked quite well. Here they do a song spoon had recorded a number of times before that was also a hot for Big Joe Turner, "S.K. Blues."

Finally, here is a set of Spoon with a group led by former Count Basie saxophonist, Earle Warren, live in Europe. Enjoy.