Jon Eardley

Trumpeter Jon Eardley's first two sessions as a leader (he would only lead two others during the next 20 years) are combined on this reissue CD. A fine boppish player who mostly stuck to the middle register of his horn, Eardley would soon be joining Gerry Mulligan's group. He is heard on four selections heading a quartet with pianist Pete Jolly (who was just starting his career), bassist Red Mitchell, and drummer Larry Bunker, and on four other numbers with tenor saxophonist J.R. Monterose, pianist George Syran, bassist Teddy Kotick, and drummer Nick Stabulas. The music (five originals and three standards) is essentially cool-toned bop and was quite modern for the period.

Gerry Mulligan - Mainstream Of Jazz - Special Edition (1956) {EmArcy Japan 826 993-2}
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© 1956, 1986 Mercury / EmArcy Japan | 826 993-2 / 32JD-126
Jazz / Cool / West Coast Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Saxophone

One of three LPs recorded by the Gerry Mulligan Sextet of 1955-56, this set includes plenty of lesser-known songs including "Mainstream," "Igloo" and "Lollypop." With such strong soloists as baritonist Mulligan, the always swinging tenor of Zoot Sims, valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer and trumpeter Jon Eardley, this was a classic West Coast style jazz band and each of its recordings are worth acquiring.

Gerry Mulligan - California Concerts Volume 1 (1954) {Pacific Jazz–EMI CDP 746960 2 rel 1988}
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© 1954, 1988 Pacific Jazz / EMI-Manhattan Records | CDP 746960 2
Jazz / Cool / West Coast Jazz / Baritone Saxophone

This CD documents a concert by Gerry Mulligan's Quartet when the baritonist's group featured trumpeter Jon Eardley, bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Chico Hamilton. Half of these ten selections were either previously unissued or only available as part of obscure samplers. The music, comprised of standards, some blues and a few Mulligan originals, is quite enjoyable, swinging lightly and with plenty of interplay between the horns.

Zoot Sims - Choice (1954, 1959) {Japan Mini LP TOCP-9422}
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© 1954, 1959, 2002 Pacific Jazz / Toshiba-EMI Japan | TOCP-9422 | Mini LP | 24bit remaster | Mono
Jazz / Cool / Bop / Saxophone

A few great slices of work by Zoot Sims – material recorded over a variety of sessions for Pacific Jazz – but all of it pretty darn great! Sims wasn't as much of a west coast hornman as some of the other leaders on Pacific Jazz – so the array of tracks makes for some surprising moments, both in Zoot's career, and for the label. Side one of the album has Zoot playing with a Gerry Mulligan ensemble on titles that include "I'll Remember April", "Red Door", and "Flamingo". Side two features Zoot playing instrumentals that were cut at the same time as an Annie Ross vocal session – with a group that includes Russ Freeman on piano, Jim Hall on guitar, and Mel Lewis on drums. Titles on that one are "You're Driving Me Crazy", "Brushes", and "Choice Blues".

Zoot and trumpeter Jon Eardley were in Paris in 1956 as part of the Gerry Mulligan Sextet which performed at the Olympia. They took time off to record on their own in the studios. Tracks 1-4 released on French 10 inch LP were actually a rehearsal with the Henri Renaud trio which was deemed good enough to release. The rest of this Jazz In Paris CD features a Live set by the Henri Renaud ensemble complete with vibes and guitar dwarfing the saxes, and a loud but not unruly audience.

The most famous and probably greatest jazz baritonist of all time, Gerry Mulligan was a giant. A flexible soloist who was always ready to jam with anyone from Dixielanders to the most advanced boppers, Mulligan brought a somewhat revolutionary light sound to his potentially awkward and brutal horn and played with the speed and dexterity of an altoist…

The short-lived Gerry Mulligan sextet of 1955-56 recorded three albums before disbanding. This LP features baritonist Mulligan, trumpeter Jon Eardley, valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer and Zoot Sims on tenor performing such songs as "Nights at the Turntable," "Broadway," "The Lady Is a Tramp" and "Bernie's Tune." Fun swinging music that is still quite accessible.