Gerry Mulligan and the Concert Jazz Band at the Village Vanguard

Reception

Allmusic awarded the album 5 stars stating "Of all the recordings made by Gerry Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band in the 1960s, this is the definitive one. ...This music is essential". On All About Jazz Joel Roberts noted "What sets this ensemble apart isn't so much the compositions (though they're a fine mix of standards and originals) or even the star quality of the soloists (though Mulligan, Clark Terry, Bob Brookmeyer and others provide some memorable solo moments). The key is the cohesiveness of the band as a unit and the crisp, tight arrangements and orchestrations by Mulligan, Brookmeyer and Al Cohn... Mulligan was no avant gardist, but he knew how to push the limits while working within a straight-ahead context, and he knew how to make a band swing".

Track listing

1. "Blueport" (Art Farmer) - 11:07
2. "Body and Soul" (Johnny Green, Frank Eyton, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour) - 5:45
3. "Black Nightgown" (Johnny Mandel) - 4:10
4. "Come Rain or Come Shine" (Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer) - 5:35
5. "Lady Chatterley's Mother" (Al Cohn) - 6:14
6. "Let My People Be" (Gerry Mulligan) - 8:00

Personnel