Gene Krupa Plays Gerry Mulligan Arrangements CD

Plays Gerry Mulligan Arrangements is an unusual Gene Krupa album from 1958 that was reissued in 2005. Rather than hearing Krupa play his usual swing hits, this is essentially a revisit to his underrated 1946-1949 boppish big band. Mulligan revived some of his arrangements from the period ("Disc Jockey Jump" is the most famous chart) and added a few others in the same style. Krupa has a few drum breaks along the way but otherwise is nearly invisible, as this is more of a Mulligan than a Krupa set. The exact soloists are not identified, but trumpeter Doc Severinsen, trombonist Urbie Green, and altoist Phil Woods are among the many who are heard from. The music is cool-toned, lightly swinging, tasteful, and enjoyable. It is a pity, though, that Mulligan did not bring his baritone along and join in too. ~ Scott Yanow

Gerry Mulligan was only 19 in 1946 when he joined Gene Krupa's band, playing a bit of alto and tenor sax, but primarily serving as an arranger. But the Verve LP Gene Krupa Plays Gerry Mulligan Arrangements wasn't made until 1958, long after Mulligan went out on his own. Although there are solo features built into the framework of each piece, Mulligan was quite confident in his ability to showcase the entire band as well. Mulligan's "Disc Jockey Jump" became a hit for Krupa, though it wasn't recorded until after he left the band. The vague liner notes fail to identify any of the musicians in Krupa's big band, which includes Jimmy Cleveland, Hank Jones, Barry Galbraith, Kai Winding, and Phil Woods, though Woods' alto sax solos are easily identifiable to his fans. Baritone saxophonist Danny Bank is a bit disappointing compared to what Mulligan could have recorded on the instrument, though it would have been unlikely that the composer would have been interested in rejoining Krupa, even for one record date, at the time it was recorded. It's surprising that this excellent LP remained out of print for so long, particularly with the strong resurgence of interest in all aspects of Mulligan's work since his death in 1996. ~ Ken Dryden

Personnel: Gene Krupa (drums); Barry Galbraith (guitar); Phil Woods, Sam Marowitz (alto saxophone); Frank Socolow, Eddie Wasserman (tenor saxophone); Danny Bank (baritone saxophone); Doc Severinsen, Ernie Royal, Al Stewart, Marky Markowitz, Al DeRisi (trumpet); Eddie Bert, Jimmy Cleveland, Kai Winding, Urbie Green, Billy Byers (trombone); Hank Jones (piano); Jim Gannon (double bass).

Arranger: Gerry Mulligan.

CD Single