The piano-less quartet fronted by Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan proved to be enormously influential and set the groundwork for many other groups. However, Mulligan and Baker’s paths would separate afterward and they would not cut more than a couple of albums together following the superlative recordings presented here. This set contains the complete master takes by the original group, taped in 1952-53.
PERSONNEL:
CHET BAKER, trumpet
GERRY MULLIGAN, baritone sax
On all tracks plus:
JIMMY ROWLES, piano
BOB WHITLOCK, CARSON SMITH, JOE MON, bass
CHICO HAMILTON, LARRY BUNKER, drums
Recorded in San Francisco, Hollywood and Los Angeles, 1952-53.