The legendary Gerry Mulligan was one of handful of
musical giants who was extremely influential as both a
composer / arranger and as an instrumentalist.
As a composer, his music was distinct and original.
His melodies were masterpieces, logically structured
and filled with wit and humor. As an arranger, his linear
approach and clever use of counterpoint helped define
the standard for modern jazz orchestration.
As an instrumentalist, he was the most significant
baritone saxophonist in the history of jazz. He was a
brilliant soloist, able to communicate on both an
intellectual and an emotional level.
By using the full range of the instrument, he developed
a very personal sound that has been widely imitated but
never duplicated.
Gerry Mulligan single-handedly established the
baritone saxophone as a solo voice.
As one of the great jazz innovators, his writing and
playing influenced entire stylistic movements, including
both "cool jazz" and "bossa nova."
He was born in New York on April 6th, 1927. His
musical career began in the mid-1940's, writing for a
variety of bands, including Tommy Tucker, Johnny
Warrington, Elliot Lawrence, Gene Krupa and Claude
Thornhill. During his tenure with Thornhill, he worked
with another band arranger named Gil Evans. Evans
shared Mulligan's concepts of a more linear writing
style, and together with Miles Davis, they conceived
what we now think of as "The Birth of the Cool."
In the early 1950's, Mulligan moved to Los Angeles and
formed his monumental Pianoless Quartet featuring
Chet Baker.
The quartet was an instant success, and Mulligan
became an international jazz celebrity. This led to
numerous engagements throughout the world, as well
as appearances on radio and television, and in motion
pictures. In 1960 he formed the Concert Jazz Band, a
13-piece ensemble based on the idea of the pianoless
quartet. This gave the ensemble a much lighter sound
and texture and established new standards for jazz
orchestration.
From that point on, he continued to explore new
musical frontiers. In addition to working with his own
groups, he also began writing for films, musical
theater, symphony orchestras and chamber groups,
and collaborating with artists as diverse as Astor
Piazzolla, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Barry Manilow, Zubin
Mehta, and many outstanding American Performes.
His immense success and popularity contined to take
him to venus throughout the world. His brilliant
performances and articulate commentary made him
one of the great ambassadors for American music.
Music was his focus and purpose in life, and he was
able to transcend barriers on both a musical and
personal level. He left us a prolific legacy of recordings
from all phases of his career. The body of work that he
produced over six decades establishes him as one of
true giants of twentieth century music.
His collection of manuscripts and recordings has been
donated to the Library of Congress.
The genius, magic, and beauty of Gerry Mulligan's
music has earned him immortality.
Ken Poston
Jazz historian
With permission by Mulligan Publishing Co., Inc.
musical giants who was extremely influential as both a
composer / arranger and as an instrumentalist.
As a composer, his music was distinct and original.
His melodies were masterpieces, logically structured
and filled with wit and humor. As an arranger, his linear
approach and clever use of counterpoint helped define
the standard for modern jazz orchestration.
As an instrumentalist, he was the most significant
baritone saxophonist in the history of jazz. He was a
brilliant soloist, able to communicate on both an
intellectual and an emotional level.
By using the full range of the instrument, he developed
a very personal sound that has been widely imitated but
never duplicated.
Gerry Mulligan single-handedly established the
baritone saxophone as a solo voice.
As one of the great jazz innovators, his writing and
playing influenced entire stylistic movements, including
both "cool jazz" and "bossa nova."
He was born in New York on April 6th, 1927. His
musical career began in the mid-1940's, writing for a
variety of bands, including Tommy Tucker, Johnny
Warrington, Elliot Lawrence, Gene Krupa and Claude
Thornhill. During his tenure with Thornhill, he worked
with another band arranger named Gil Evans. Evans
shared Mulligan's concepts of a more linear writing
style, and together with Miles Davis, they conceived
what we now think of as "The Birth of the Cool."
In the early 1950's, Mulligan moved to Los Angeles and
formed his monumental Pianoless Quartet featuring
Chet Baker.
The quartet was an instant success, and Mulligan
became an international jazz celebrity. This led to
numerous engagements throughout the world, as well
as appearances on radio and television, and in motion
pictures. In 1960 he formed the Concert Jazz Band, a
13-piece ensemble based on the idea of the pianoless
quartet. This gave the ensemble a much lighter sound
and texture and established new standards for jazz
orchestration.
From that point on, he continued to explore new
musical frontiers. In addition to working with his own
groups, he also began writing for films, musical
theater, symphony orchestras and chamber groups,
and collaborating with artists as diverse as Astor
Piazzolla, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Barry Manilow, Zubin
Mehta, and many outstanding American Performes.
His immense success and popularity contined to take
him to venus throughout the world. His brilliant
performances and articulate commentary made him
one of the great ambassadors for American music.
Music was his focus and purpose in life, and he was
able to transcend barriers on both a musical and
personal level. He left us a prolific legacy of recordings
from all phases of his career. The body of work that he
produced over six decades establishes him as one of
true giants of twentieth century music.
His collection of manuscripts and recordings has been
donated to the Library of Congress.
The genius, magic, and beauty of Gerry Mulligan's
music has earned him immortality.
Ken Poston
Jazz historian
With permission by Mulligan Publishing Co., Inc.
2006-2010 MULLIGANMOSAICS.COM - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED by: C O C O G R A P H Y K
The Origins of The Mulligan Mosaics Big Band
Written by Ted Hogarth
In addition to being a popular jazz performer in Chicago, Ted Hogarth
maintains a private teaching studio. During a lesson several years ago, one
of his students, Chris Weller, told Ted the wonderful story of how, while in
pursuit of a copy of Gerry's Entente for Baritone Saxophone and Orchestra,
the Library of Congress passed along the contact information for Franca
Mulligan, Gerry's widow and President of the Gerry and Franca Mulligan
Foundation. Chris said that Mrs. Mulligan was very helpful to him, and since
Chris knew of Ted's desire to study Gerry's music, suggested that he contact
Franca.
Ted had just completed a Master's Degree in Jazz Composition at DePaul
University in Chicago and was interested in studying some of the scores for
Gerry's Concert Jazz Band in order to understand how this incredible music
was constructed. After an exhaustive search for the arrangements on the
Internet proved unsuccessful, Ted contacted Ken Poston from the Los
Angeles Jazz Institute - which houses some of Gerry's music - about
acquiring scores for research. Ken suggested that Ted contact Franca
directly and assured him that she would be a great help.
Ted called Franca and told her how much he admired Gerry's playing, his
lush sound, and his writing, and arranging, and that he wanted to study the
scores from the Concert Jazz Band. Franca graciously agreed to send Ted
copies of the music, with the understanding that the music was the property
of Mulligan Publishing, Inc. and would be used for study, research, and
performance for fund-raising only. Ted explained that he did not have a big
band and was only interested in studying the music.
After emailing a list of requested scores, Franca called Ted and suggested
that he come to Connecticut to look through Gerry's private library to select
the pieces he wanted copied. Ted was thrilled to have the opportunity to see
where Gerry composed, practiced and rehearsed his groups. Ted and his
wife Lisa Rosenthal went to Connecticut for three days in May 2006 for the
first of many visits which would change their lives.
The first visit was very productive with Ted collecting five scores for his study.
Upon returning to Chicago Ted decided he not only wanted to study this
music, he wanted to perform it. He formed a big band comprised of his
closest friends, who also happened to be the top players in Chicago.
Written by Ted Hogarth
In addition to being a popular jazz performer in Chicago, Ted Hogarth
maintains a private teaching studio. During a lesson several years ago, one
of his students, Chris Weller, told Ted the wonderful story of how, while in
pursuit of a copy of Gerry's Entente for Baritone Saxophone and Orchestra,
the Library of Congress passed along the contact information for Franca
Mulligan, Gerry's widow and President of the Gerry and Franca Mulligan
Foundation. Chris said that Mrs. Mulligan was very helpful to him, and since
Chris knew of Ted's desire to study Gerry's music, suggested that he contact
Franca.
Ted had just completed a Master's Degree in Jazz Composition at DePaul
University in Chicago and was interested in studying some of the scores for
Gerry's Concert Jazz Band in order to understand how this incredible music
was constructed. After an exhaustive search for the arrangements on the
Internet proved unsuccessful, Ted contacted Ken Poston from the Los
Angeles Jazz Institute - which houses some of Gerry's music - about
acquiring scores for research. Ken suggested that Ted contact Franca
directly and assured him that she would be a great help.
Ted called Franca and told her how much he admired Gerry's playing, his
lush sound, and his writing, and arranging, and that he wanted to study the
scores from the Concert Jazz Band. Franca graciously agreed to send Ted
copies of the music, with the understanding that the music was the property
of Mulligan Publishing, Inc. and would be used for study, research, and
performance for fund-raising only. Ted explained that he did not have a big
band and was only interested in studying the music.
After emailing a list of requested scores, Franca called Ted and suggested
that he come to Connecticut to look through Gerry's private library to select
the pieces he wanted copied. Ted was thrilled to have the opportunity to see
where Gerry composed, practiced and rehearsed his groups. Ted and his
wife Lisa Rosenthal went to Connecticut for three days in May 2006 for the
first of many visits which would change their lives.
The first visit was very productive with Ted collecting five scores for his study.
Upon returning to Chicago Ted decided he not only wanted to study this
music, he wanted to perform it. He formed a big band comprised of his
closest friends, who also happened to be the top players in Chicago.
Quotes in support of MMBB:
"The hit of the festival"
- Joe Segal, Jazz Showcase proprietor
"Awesome. Amazing. Tightest little big band I've heard
in years. Ted goes beyond Mulligan. A must hear."
- Kristin Masarik, director, Fox Jazz Festival
"The hit of the festival"
- Joe Segal, Jazz Showcase proprietor
"Awesome. Amazing. Tightest little big band I've heard
in years. Ted goes beyond Mulligan. A must hear."
- Kristin Masarik, director, Fox Jazz Festival
2006 - MMBB at Millenium Park, Chicago
The Band and Its Music
The Mulligan Mosaics Big Band was formed in early May 2006 and had its
first performance in July 2006 at Morseland on the North side of Chicago. A
member of big bands for years, this was the first time Ted was leading his
own big band. The performance was a success and the newly formed band
began to acquire a following. Since then they have performed at FitzGerald's
in Berwyn, Millennium Park in Chicago as part of the 2006 Great Performers
of Illinois festival, the 2007 Chicago Jazz Festival, the 2007 Fox Jazz Fest
(Menasha, WI), The Fox Note (Princeton, WI), the 2008 Jazz Fest Glenn Ellyn,
the 2008 Evanston Jazz Festival, the McAninch Arts Center with guest vocalist
Judi Silvano, and Joe and Wayne Segal’s Jazz Showcase, where they
recently recorded a live concert for future release.
The Mulligan Mosaics Big Band is comprised of some of Chicago’s top
musicians, improvisers, and educators. All members of The Mulligan
Mosaics Big Band are nationally or internationally recognized.
Ted Hogarth, founder/leader, baritone saxophone, composer and arranger
Chris Madsen, alto saxophone, composer, arranger, jazz faculty member, Northwestern
University
Mark Colby, tenor saxophone and clarinet, jazz faculty member, DePaul University
Rob Denty, tenor saxophone and clarinet
Nick Moran, baritone saxophone and bass clarinet
Tim Coffman, trombone, jazz faculty member, DePaul University
Bryant Scott, trombone, composer and arranger
Thomas Matta, bass trombone, composer, arranger, Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies,
DePaul University
Terry Connell, lead trumpet
Tom Tallman, trumpet, Director of Jazz Studies, College of DuPage
Art Davis, trumpet, Assistant Professor, Northern Illinois University
Joe Policastro, bass
Ed Breazeale, drums
The Mulligan Mosaics Big Band was formed in early May 2006 and had its
first performance in July 2006 at Morseland on the North side of Chicago. A
member of big bands for years, this was the first time Ted was leading his
own big band. The performance was a success and the newly formed band
began to acquire a following. Since then they have performed at FitzGerald's
in Berwyn, Millennium Park in Chicago as part of the 2006 Great Performers
of Illinois festival, the 2007 Chicago Jazz Festival, the 2007 Fox Jazz Fest
(Menasha, WI), The Fox Note (Princeton, WI), the 2008 Jazz Fest Glenn Ellyn,
the 2008 Evanston Jazz Festival, the McAninch Arts Center with guest vocalist
Judi Silvano, and Joe and Wayne Segal’s Jazz Showcase, where they
recently recorded a live concert for future release.
The Mulligan Mosaics Big Band is comprised of some of Chicago’s top
musicians, improvisers, and educators. All members of The Mulligan
Mosaics Big Band are nationally or internationally recognized.
Ted Hogarth, founder/leader, baritone saxophone, composer and arranger
Chris Madsen, alto saxophone, composer, arranger, jazz faculty member, Northwestern
University
Mark Colby, tenor saxophone and clarinet, jazz faculty member, DePaul University
Rob Denty, tenor saxophone and clarinet
Nick Moran, baritone saxophone and bass clarinet
Tim Coffman, trombone, jazz faculty member, DePaul University
Bryant Scott, trombone, composer and arranger
Thomas Matta, bass trombone, composer, arranger, Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies,
DePaul University
Terry Connell, lead trumpet
Tom Tallman, trumpet, Director of Jazz Studies, College of DuPage
Art Davis, trumpet, Assistant Professor, Northern Illinois University
Joe Policastro, bass
Ed Breazeale, drums