In the mid 1950s, proto-bopping pianist Thelonious Monk and West Coast cool baritone saxist Gerry Mulligan were at the height of their powers and popularity, with both getting publicity such as getting on the cover of TIME magazine. This “summit” meeting between the two are in the support of the piano man’s working trio of Shadow Wilson/dr and Wilbur Ware/b, with splendid results.
Mulligan is the perfect haunting howler for the dark night sound of “’Round Midnight” while his bop chops are superb as they dance with the pianist on “Rhythm-a-ning” and “Straight, No Chaser”. The two have a hoot of a time with the old ditty “Sweet and Lovely” and Mulligan’s own “Decidedly” works amazingly well, with the two digging in delightfully on “I Mean You”. This is when jazz was, well, JAZZY!