This is a rather relaxed recording featuring baritonist
Gerry Mulligan
and some of his top alumni (trumpeter
Art Farmer
, trombonist
Bob Brookmeyer
, guitarist
Jim Hall
, bassist
Bill Crow
, and drummer
Dave Bailey
) exploring three of his own songs (including
"Festive Minor"
),
Chopin
's
Prelude in E minor
,
"In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning,"
and
"Morning of the Carnival"
(from
Black Orpheus
). The emphasis is on
ballads
and nothing too innovative occurs, but the results are pleasing and laid-back. ~ Scott Yanow