Big Pacific

Recorded in 1965, this often out-of-print live set features bebop innovator and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, his frequent 1960's sideman James Moody (one of the greatest mainstream tenor saxophonists ever), and arranger Gil Fuller successfully collaborating in a big band context. The program is standards, pop hits of the day ("Sweets For My Sweet"), bop chestnuts ("Tin Tin Deo"), and some Latin-flavored big band swing (composed by Fuller). This edition has been expanded to 20 tracks.

The film's opening alternates clips of Mulligan smiling, playing his baritone sax and speaking. That brief documentary sequence establishes the good feeling that prevails in this 1981 performance at Eric's, a New York club. From there on, it's all music. Mulligan's rhythm section—pianist Harold Danko, bassist Frank Luther, drummer Billy Hart—are locked into the spirit, one another and their leader. It's a flawless set of Mulligan tunes of the period, including “North Atlantic Run," “Song for Strayhorn" and “K-4 Pacific." Gary Keys' cinematography has the intimacy of tight closeups, just enough camera movement and no cute tricks. The sound by Jim Anderson is excellent.