Gerry Mulligan

Gerry Mulligan was known for his outstanding writing skills along with his talent as a baritone saxophonist. Mulligan’s skills were developed at an early age, when he was seventeen he wrote for Jonny Warrington’s radio band. Even before settling on the baritone sax, he played the piano and other various reed instruments. He also wrote arrangements for influential musicians such as Claude Thornhill and Stan Kenton (Down Beat 1). Mulligan became known for his …

…instruments don’t get loud or screeching like they did in earlier forms of jazz. The drums also played in a softer tone by use of brushes rather than sticks. This created a swishing like sound that helped to create the over all less intense feel to cool jazz. It was because of this less intense feel to cool jazz that its popularity grew so rapidly. Today is still listened to by people world wide.