Cool jazz

Guaraldi had range, as well as an instrumental hit right when jazz was vanishing from AM radio.

The Impulse jazz label, famous for its fold-out black and orange album covers, turns 50 this year. To celebrate, the label has released a box set featuring its early releases. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says the set showcases the diversity and talent of the musicians Impulse recorded.

The late jazz saxophonist, Gerry Mulligan. This week, which marks what would have been his 72nd birthday, The Library of Congress opened a permanent exhibit celebrating his life and work. Mulligan died in 1996. The exhibit includes his favorite saxophone, photographs, and musical manuscripts. He's been an innovator in modern jazz orchestration. Early in his career he was staff arranger for Gene Krupa's big band. In 1949 he collaborated with Gil Evans and Miles Davis in the Nonet. The nine-piece band shook up jazz arrangers and launched the era of so-called cool jazz.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg discusses Gerry Mulligan, jazz, and the use of the world cool.

Arranger and baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan died Saturday, January 20th, from complications due to surgery. He was 68. We will rebroadcast a 1989 interview with him. Mulliagn was an innovator in modern jazz orchestration. Early in his career he was staff arranger for Gene Krupa's big band. In 1949 he collaborated with Gil Evans and Miles Davis in the Nonet. The nine-piece band shook up jazz arrangers and launched the era of so-called cool jazz. He achieved international acclaim when he started a "pianoless" quartet with trumpeter Chet Baker in the early 1950's.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead remembers jazz great Miles Davis, who died this weekend at age 65.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Miles Davis "Birth of the Cool" album. That influential album from 1950 has just been reissued on CD by Capitol.

Arranger and baritone saxophonist, Gerry (pronounced "jerry") Mulligan. He's been an innovator in modern jazz orchestration. Early in his career he was staff arranger for Gene Krupa's big band. In 1949 he collaborated with Gil Evans and Miles Davis in the Nonet. The nine-piece band shook up jazz arrangers and launched the era of so-called cool jazz. He achieved international acclaim when he started a "pianoless" quartet with trumpeter Chet Baker in the early 1950's. (Rebroadcast. Original date 12/18/89).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead looks back on jazz in the 80s...the big figures, the big trends, the big albums, and he takes a guess as to what the 90s will bring.

Arranger and baritone saxophonist, Gerry (pronounced "jerry") Mulligan. He's been an innovator in modern jazz orchestration. Early in his career he was staff arranger for Gene Krupa's big band. In 1949 he collaborated with Gil Evans and Miles Davis in the Nonet. The nine-piece band shook up jazz arrangers and launched the era of so-called cool jazz. He achieved international acclaim when he started a "pianoless" quartet with trumpeter Chet Baker in the early 1950's.