Robert Edward "Bob" Brookmeyer (December 19, 1929 – December 15, 2011) was an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

valve A valve is a device or natural object that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid (gases, liquids, fluidized solids, or slurries) by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically fittings ...

trombonist The trombone (german: Posaune, Italian, French: ''trombone'') is a musical instrument in the brass family. As with all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player's vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate ...

pianist A pianist ( , ) is an individual musician who plays the piano. Since most forms of Western music can make use of the piano, pianists have a wide repertoire and a wide variety of styles to choose from, among them traditional classical music, ja ...

, arranger, and composer. Born in

Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City (abbreviated KC or KCMO) is the largest city in Missouri by population and area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 508,090 in 2020, making it the 36th most-populous city in the United States. It is the central ...

, Brookmeyer first gained widespread public attention as a member of

Gerry Mulligan Gerald Joseph Mulligan (April 6, 1927 – January 20, 1996), also known as Jeru, was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and arranger. Though primarily known as one of the leading jazz baritone saxophonists—playing the instrum ...

's quartet from 1954 to 1957. He later worked with

Jimmy Giuffre James Peter Giuffre (, ; April 26, 1921 – April 24, 2008) was an American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, and arranger. He is known for developing forms of jazz which allowed for free interplay between the musicians, anticipating f ...

, before rejoining Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band. He garnered 8

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...

nominations during his lifetime.

Biography

Brookmeyer was born on December 19, 1929 Kansas City, Missouri. He was the only child of Elmer Edward Brookmeyer and Mayme Seifert. Brookmeyer began playing professionally in his teens. He attended the Kansas City Conservatory of Music, but did not graduate. He played piano in big bands led by

Tex Beneke Gordon Lee "Tex" Beneke ( ; February 12, 1914 – May 30, 2000) was an American saxophonist, singer, and bandleader. His career is a history of associations with bandleader Glenn Miller and former musicians and singers who worked with Miller. H ...

and

Ray McKinley Ray McKinley (June 18, 1910 – May 7, 1995) was an American jazz drummer, singer, and bandleader. He played drums and later led the Major Glenn Miller Army Air Forces Orchestra in Europe. He also led the new Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1956. ...

, but concentrated on valve trombone from when he moved to the

Claude Thornhill Claude Thornhill (August 10, 1908 – July 1, 1965) was an American pianist, arranger, composer, and bandleader. He composed the jazz and pop standards "Snowfall" and "I Wish I Had You". Early years Thornhill was the son of J. Chester Thornhill ...

orchestra in the early 1950s. He was part of small groups led by Stan Getz,

, and

in the 1950s. During the 1950s and 1960s, Brookmeyer played in New York clubs, on television (including being part of the house band for ''

The Merv Griffin Show ''The Merv Griffin Show'' is an American television talk show starring Merv Griffin. The series ran from October 1, 1962 to March 29, 1963 on NBC, May 10, 1965 to July 4, 1969 in first-run syndication, from August 18, 1969 to February 11, 1972 ...

''), and on studio recordings, as well as arranging for

Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Ge ...

and others. In the early 1960s, Brookmeyer joined flugelhorn player

Clark Terry Clark Virgil Terry Jr. (December 14, 1920 – February 21, 2015) was an American swing and bebop trumpeter, a pioneer of the flugelhorn in jazz, and a composer and educator. He played with Charlie Barnet (1947), Count Basie (1948–51), Duke ...

in a band that achieved some success. In February 1965, Brookmeyer and Terry appeared together on BBC2's

Jazz 625 ''Jazz 625'' is a BBC jazz programme featuring performances by British and American musicians, first broadcast between April 1964 and August 1966. It was created by Terry Henebery, a clarinetist recruited in 1963 as one of the new producers fo ...

. Brookmeyer moved to Los Angeles in 1968 and became a full-time studio musician. He spent 10 years on the

West Coast West Coast or west coast may refer to: Geography Australia * Western Australia *Regions of South Australia#Weather forecasting, West Coast of South Australia * West Coast, Tasmania **West Coast Range, mountain range in the region Canada * Britis ...

and developed a serious alcohol problem. After he overcame this, he returned to New York. Brookmeyer became the musical director of the

Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra was a jazz big band formed by trumpeter Thad Jones and drummer Mel Lewis in New York in 1965.Lisik/Allen. 50 Years at the Village Vanguard:Thad Jone, Mel Lewis and the Village Vanguard Orchestra. Sky Deck M ...

in 1979, although he had not composed any music for a decade. Brookmeyer wrote for and performed with jazz groups in Europe from the early 1980s. He founded and ran a music school in the

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

, and taught at the

New England Conservatory of Music The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) is a private music school in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the oldest independent music conservatory in the United States and among the most prestigious in the world. The conservatory is located on H ...

in Boston, Massachusetts, and other institutions. In June 2005, Brookmeyer joined

ArtistShare ArtistShare is the internet's first commercial crowdfunding website.Crowd-Funding 101: What Every Musician Needs for a Successful Campaign It also operates as a record label and business model for artists which enables them to fund their projec ...

and announced a project to fund an upcoming third album featuring his New Art Orchestra. The resulting

Grammy The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...

-nominated CD, titled ''Spirit Music'', was released in 2006. Brookmeyer was named a

National Endowment for the Arts The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal ...

Jazz Master in the same year. His eighth

nomination was for an arrangement from the

Vanguard Jazz Orchestra The vanguard (also called the advance guard) is the leading part of an advancing military formation. It has a number of functions, including seeking out the enemy and securing ground in advance of the main force. History The vanguard derives fr ...

's album, ''Forever Lasting'', shortly before his death. That same album was also nominated in the 57th Annual Grammy Awards for the category of Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album; the CD was entirely made up of Brookmeyer's compositions. Brookmeyer died of congestive heart failure on December 15, 2011, in

New London, New Hampshire New London is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,400 at the 2020 census. The town is the home of Colby–Sawyer College. The town center, where 1,266 people resided at the 2020 census, is defined as t ...

Compositional style

One notable element of Brookmeyer's compositional style is his use of contemporary classical writing techniques in his works for big bands and jazz ensembles. In the early 1980's Brookmeyer was mentored by composer

Earle Brown Earle Brown (December 26, 1926 – July 2, 2002) was an American composer who established his own formal and notational systems. Brown was the creator of "open form," a style of musical construction that has influenced many composers since� ...

, with whom he explored 20th century classical music in depth. Brookmeyer's works since have been influenced by such composers as

Witold Lutosławski Witold Roman Lutosławski (; 25 January 1913 – 7 February 1994) was a Polish composer and conductor. Among the major composers of 20th-century classical music, he is "generally regarded as the most significant Polish composer since Szyman ...

(whose cello concerto Brookmeyer used often in teaching students about simple motifs),

Igor Stravinsky Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky (6 April 1971) was a Russian composer, pianist and conductor, later of French (from 1934) and American (from 1945) citizenship. He is widely considered one of the most important and influential composers of the ...

, Claude Debussy,

György Ligeti György Sándor Ligeti (; ; 28 May 1923 – 12 June 2006) was a Hungarian-Austrian composer of contemporary classical music. He has been described as "one of the most important avant-garde composers in the latter half of the twentieth century ...

, and

Béla Bartók Béla Viktor János Bartók (; ; 25 March 1881 – 26 September 1945) was a Hungarian composer, pianist, and ethnomusicologist. He is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century; he and Franz Liszt are regarded as H ...

. Some examples of 20th-century classical compositional techniques used in Brookmeyer's jazz pieces are: * "ABC Blues", where an

atonal Atonality in its broadest sense is music that lacks a tonal center, or key. ''Atonality'', in this sense, usually describes compositions written from about the early 20th-century to the present day, where a hierarchy of harmonies focusing on a ...

tone row In music, a tone row or note row (german: Reihe or '), also series or set, is a non-repetitive ordering of a set of pitch-classes, typically of the twelve notes in musical set theory of the chromatic scale, though both larger and smaller sets ...

is used to generate melodies and harmonies. * "The Big Time", where

polytonality Polytonality (also polyharmony) is the musical use of more than one key simultaneously. Bitonality is the use of only two different keys at the same time. Polyvalence or polyvalency is the use of more than one harmonic function, from the same key ...

is used to develop melodies used earlier on in the composition. * Bob Brookmeyer uses

chromatic harmony Chromaticism is a compositional technique interspersing the primary diatonic pitches and chords with other pitches of the chromatic scale. In simple terms, within each octave, diatonic music uses only seven different notes, rather than the t ...

and tone clusters throughout such works as "Seesaw", "Silver Lining", and "Hello and Goodbye".

Honors and awards

Grammy Awards (nominations)

, - , style="text-align:center;", , style="text-align:center;", ''Blues Suite, composed by Brookmeyer , style="text-align:center;", Best Arrangement , , - , style="text-align:center;", , style="text-align:center;", ''The Power Of Positive Swinging'', composed by Brookmeyer , style="text-align:center;", Best Instrumental Jazz Performance , , - , style="text-align:center;", , style="text-align:center;", ''ABC Blues'', composed by Brookmeyer , style="text-align:center;", Best Original Jazz Composition , , - , style="text-align:center;", , style="text-align:center;", ''

Skylark ''Alauda'' is a genus of larks found across much of Europe, Asia and in the mountains of north Africa, and one of the species (the Raso lark) endemic to the islet of Raso in the Cape Verde Islands. Further, at least two additional species are ...

'', arranged by Brookmeyer , style="text-align:center;", Best Instrumental Arrangement , , - , style="text-align:center;", , style="text-align:center;", ''Impulsive!'' (Album) , style="text-align:center;",

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album The Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album has been presented since 1961. From 1962 to 1971 and 1979 to 1991 the award title specified instrumental performances. Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for works ...

, , - , style="text-align:center;", , style="text-align:center;", ''Get Well Soon'' (Album) , style="text-align:center;", Large Jazz Ensemble Album , , - , style="text-align:center;", , style="text-align:center;", ''Spirit Music'' (Album) , style="text-align:center;", Large Jazz Ensemble Album , , - , style="text-align:center;", , style="text-align:center;", ''

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the ...

'', arranged by Brookmeyer , style="text-align:center;", Best Instrumental Arrangement , , - , style="text-align:center;", , style="text-align:center;", ''Nasty Dance'', arranged by Brookmeyer , style="text-align:center;", Best Instrumental Arrangement , , -

Discography

As leader/co-leader

* ''

Bob Brookmeyer Quartet ''Bob Brookmeyer Quartet'' is an album by jazz trombonist and composer Bob Brookmeyer recorded in 1954 and originally released on the Pacific Jazz label as a 10-inch LP.Bob Brookmeyer Plays Bob Brookmeyer and Some Others'' (Clef, 1955) * ''Happy Minors'' (

Bethlehem Bethlehem (; ar, بيت لحم ; he, בֵּית לֶחֶם '' '') is a city in the central West Bank, Palestine, about south of Jerusalem. Its population is approximately 25,000,Amara, 1999p. 18.Brynen, 2000p. 202. and it is the capital o ...

, 1955) with Red Mitchell,

Zoot Sims John Haley "Zoot" Sims (October 29, 1925 – March 23, 1985) was an American jazz saxophonist, playing mainly tenor but also alto (and, later, soprano) saxophone. He first gained attention in the "Four Brothers" sax section of Woody Herman's big ...

* ''

The Dual Role of Bob Brookmeyer ''The Dual Role of Bob Brookmeyer'' is an album by jazz trombonist and pianist Bob Brookmeyer recorded in 1954 and 1955 for the Prestige label.Cohen, NTeddy Charles Discography accessed July 29, 2013 Reception The Allmusic review by Scott Yano ...

'' (Prestige, 1956) – recorded in 1954-55 * '' Tonite's Music Today'' with

( Storyville, 1956) * '' Whooeeee'' with

(Storyville, 1956) * ''Bob Brookmeyer Quintet'' (Vogue, 1956) * ''Urso and Brookmeyer'' with Phil Urso (

Savoy Savoy (; frp, Savouè ; french: Savoie ) is a cultural-historical region in the Western Alps. Situated on the cultural boundary between Occitania and Piedmont, the area extends from Lake Geneva in the north to the Dauphiné in the south. Savo ...

, 1956) * '' Brookmeyer'' (Vik, 1957) – recorded in 1956 * ''

Traditionalism Revisited ''Traditionalism Revisited'' is an album by jazz trombonist and pianist Bob Brookmeyer featuring popular music of the 1920s and 1930s recorded in 1957 for the World Pacific label. Reception The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow stated "While these ...

'' (World Pacific, 1957) * '' The Street Swingers'' (World Pacific, 1958) * ''

Jazz Concerto Grosso ''Jazz Concerto Grosso'' (full title ''Gerry Mulligan Bob Brookmeyer Play Phil Sunkel's Jazz Concerto Grosso'') is an album by American jazz musicians Gerry Mulligan and Bob Brookmeyer featuring performances of compositions by Phil Sunkel recorded ...

'' with

(ABC–Paramount, 1958) – play Phil Sunkel, recorded in 1957. * ''They Met at the Continental Divide'' with Trombones Inc. (Warner Bros., 1959) * '' Kansas City Revisited'' (United Artists, 1959) * '' The Ivory Hunters'' with

Bill Evans William John Evans (August 16, 1929 – September 15, 1980) was an American jazz pianist and composer who worked primarily as the leader of his trio. His use of impressionist harmony, interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, block ch ...

(United Artists, 1959) * ''

Jazz Is a Kick ''Jazz Is a Kick'' is an album by jazz trombonist and arranger Bob Brookmeyer recorded in 1960 for the Mercury label.Edwards, D., Callahan, M., Watts, Watts, R & Eyries, PMercury Album Discography, Part 8: MG-20600/SR-60600 to MG-20799/SR-60799 M ...

'' (Mercury, 1960) * '' Portrait of the Artist'' (Atlantic, 1960) – recorded in 1959 * '' The Blues Hot and Cold'' (His Master's Voice, 1960) * ''

Gloomy Sunday and Other Bright Moments ''Gloomy Sunday and Other Bright Moments'' is an album by jazz trombonist and arranger Bob Brookmeyer recorded in 1961 for the Verve label. Brookmeyer said: "I consider it my pride and joy. I took many creative risks here, most based on the heels ...

'' (Verve, 1961) * '' 7 x Wilder'' (Verve, 1961) * ''

Trombone Jazz Samba ''Trombone Jazz Samba'' is an album by jazz trombonist and arranger Bob Brookmeyer featuring bossa nova compositions recorded in 1962 for the Verve label.Edwards, D. & Callahan, MVerve Label Discography accessed November 27, 2015 Reception The ...

'' (Verve, 1962) * ''

Bob Brookmeyer and Friends ''Bob Brookmeyer and Friends'' is a 1964 jazz album released on Columbia Records by valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer and featuring tenor saxophonist Stan Getz. Reviewer Scott Yanow said that "the young rhythm section (pianist Herbie Hancock, ...

'' (Columbia, 1965) – recorded in 1964 * ''The Bob Brookmeyer Small Band'' (Gryphon, 1978) * ''

Back Again Back Again may refer to: Albums * Back Again! (Milira album), ''Back Again!'' (Milira album), 1992 * Back Again (Disciple album), ''Back Again'' (Disciple album), 2003, or the title track * Back Again! (Mr. Cheeks album), ''Back Again!'' (Mr. Cheeks ...

'' (Sonet, 1979) * ''Through a Looking Glass'' (Finesse, 1981) * ''Oslo'' (Concord Jazz, 1987) * ''Morning Fun'' with

(Black Lion, 1989) * ''Electricity'' (ACT, 1994) - recorded in 1991 * ''As It Happened Vol. 1'' with

Roger Kellaway Roger Kellaway (born November 1, 1939) is an American composer, arranger and jazz pianist. Life and career Kellaway was born in Waban, Massachusetts, United States. He is an alumnus of the New England Conservatory. Kellaway has composed commissi ...

(Jazz Heritage, 1994) * ''Paris Suite'' (Challenge, 1995) * ''Out of This World'' with

Metropole Orchestra The Metropole Orkest (Metropole Orchestra) is a jazz and pop orchestra based in the Netherlands, and is the largest full-time ensemble of its kind in the world. A hybrid orchestra, it is a combination of jazz, big band and symphony orchestra. Com ...

(Koch Jazz, 1998) * ''Old Friends'' (Storyville, 1998) - recorded in 1994 * '' New Works Celebration'' (Challenge, 1999) - recorded in 1997 * ''Together'' with

Mads Vinding Mads Vinding (born 7 December 1948, Copenhagen, Denmark) is a Danish jazz double-bassist. Music career Vinding began his professional career when he was 16 as the house bassist for Jazzhus Montmartre, a jazz club in Copenhagen. He has played ...

(Challenge, 1999) * ''Holiday'' (Challenge, 2001) – plays piano * ''Madly Loving You'' with the Ed Partyka Jazz Orchestra (Challenge, 2001) * ''Stay Out of the Sun'' (Challenge, 2003) - recorded in 2000 * ''Get Well Soon'' with New Art Orchestra (Challenge, 2003) - recorded in 2002 * ''

Island An island (or isle) is an isolated piece of habitat that is surrounded by a dramatically different habitat, such as water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, skerries, cays or keys. An island ...

'' with

Kenny Wheeler Kenneth Vincent John Wheeler, OC (14 January 1930 – 18 September 2014) was a Canadian composer and trumpet and flugelhorn player, based in the U.K. from the 1950s onwards. Most of his performances were rooted in jazz, but he was also active i ...

(Artists House, 2003) - recorded in 2002 * ''Spirit Music'' with New Art Orchestra (ArtistShare, 2006)

As sideman

With

Manny Albam Manny Albam (June 24, 1922 – October 2, 2001) was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, record producer, and educator. Early life A native of the Dominican Republic, Albam grew up in New York City. He was attracted to jazz at an ea ...

* ''The Jazz Workshop'' (RCA Victor, 1956) * ''Play Music from the Broadway Musical West Side Story'' (Coral, 1957) * ''Manny Albam and the Jazz Greats of Our Time'' (Coral, 1957) * ''Sophisticated Lady'' (Coral, 1958) * ''The Blues Is Everybody's Business'' (Coral, 1958) * ''Steve's Songs'' (Dot, 1958) * ''Jazz Horizons: Jazz New York'' (Dot, 1959) * ''

Brass on Fire ''Brass on Fire'' is an album by American jazz arranger and conductor Manny Albam featuring performances recorded in 1966 and originally issued on the Solid State Records (jazz label), Solid State label as their first proper release.Payne, D.Sonny ...

'' (Solid State, 1966) With Chet Baker * ''Chet Baker Sextet'' (Pacific Jazz, 1954) * '' The Trumpet Artistry of Chet Baker'' (Pacific Jazz, 1955) – compilation With

Al Cohn Al Cohn (November 24, 1925 – February 15, 1988) was an American jazz saxophonist, arranger and composer. He came to prominence in the band of clarinetist Woody Herman and was known for his longtime musical partnership with fellow saxophonist ...

* ''

The Al Cohn Quintet Featuring Bobby Brookmeyer ''The Al Cohn Quintet Featuring Bobby Brookmeyer'' is an album by saxophonist, composer and arranger Al Cohn's Quintet with trombonist Bob Brookmeyer recorded in late 1956 for the Coral Records, Coral label.Edwards, D., Eyries, P., Watts, R, Neely ...

'' (Coral, 1957) – recorded in 1956 * ''

Son of Drum Suite ''Son of Drum Suite'' is an album by Al Cohn and His Orchestra recorded in 1960 for the RCA Victor label.Stan Getz * ''

Interpretations by the Stan Getz Quintet ''Interpretations by the Stan Getz Quintet'' is an album by saxophonist Stan Getz recorded in 1953. It was the first 12-inch LP released on the Norgran label in 1954.

'' (Norgran, 1954) – recorded in 1953 * '' Stan Getz at The Shrine'' (Norgran, 1955) * ''

Stan Getz and the Cool Sounds ''Stan Getz and the Cool Sounds'' is an album by saxophonist Stan Getz recorded at five sessions between 1953 and 1955 which was released on the Verve label in 1957.

'' (Verve, 1957) * '' Recorded Fall 1961'' (Verve, 1961) * ''

Jazz Samba ''Jazz Samba'' is a bossa nova album by Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd released by Verve Records in 1962. ''Jazz Samba'' signaled the beginning of the bossa nova craze in America. Stan Getz was the featured soloist and the tracks were arranged by C ...

'' (Verve, 1962) * ''

Big Band Bossa Nova ''Big Band Bossa Nova'' is an album by American Quincy Jones. Track listing Digital Re-issue, on Verve label Performers * Quincy Jones – conductor, arranger * Phil Woods – alto saxophone * Paul Gonsalves – tenor saxophone * R ...

'' (Verve, 1962) With

* '' Trav'lin' Light'' (Atlantic, 1958) * '' The Four Brothers Sound'' (Atlantic, 1959) * ''

Western Suite ''Western Suite'' is an album by American jazz composer and arranger Jimmy Giuffre which was released on the Atlantic label in 1960.Woody Herman Woodrow Charles Herman (May 16, 1913 – October 29, 1987) was an American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading groups called "The Herd", Herman came to prominence in the late 1930s and was active until his dea ...

* ''The Herd Rides Again'' (Everest, 1958) * ''The Fourth Herd'' (Jazz Legacy, 1960) * ''Woody Herman & the Fourth Herd'' (Windmill, 1972) With

* '' Paris Concert'' (Pacific Jazz, 1955) – recorded in 1954 * '' California Concerts'' (Pacific Jazz, 1955) – recorded in 1954 * '' Presenting the Gerry Mulligan Sextet'' (EmArcy, 1955) * '' Recorded in Boston at Storyville'' (Pacific Jazz, 1957) – recorded in 1956 * '' The Teddy Wilson Trio & Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Bob Brookmeyer at Newport'' (Verve, 1957) * ''

The Concert Jazz Band ''The Concert Jazz Band'' is an album recorded by American jazz saxophonist Gerry Mulligan featuring performances recorded in 1960 which were released on the Verve label.

'' (Verve, 1960) * ''

Gerry Mulligan and the Concert Jazz Band at the Village Vanguard ''Gerry Mulligan and the Concert Jazz Band at the Village Vanguard'' is a live album by jazz saxophonist and bandleader Gerry Mulligan featuring performances recorded at the Village Vanguard in late 1960 which were released on the Verve label.

'' (Verve, 1961) – recorded in 1960 * ''

Gerry Mulligan Presents a Concert in Jazz ''Gerry Mulligan Presents a Concert in Jazz'' is an album recorded by American jazz saxophonist and bandleader Gerry Mulligan featuring performances recorded in 1961 which were released on the Verve label.

'' (Verve, 1961) * ''

Gerry Mulligan and the Concert Jazz Band on Tour ''Gerry Mulligan and the Concert Jazz Band on Tour'' (subtitled ''Guest Soloist: Zoot Sims'') is a live album recorded by American jazz saxophonist and bandleader Gerry Mulligan featuring performances recorded in California, Berlin and Milan 1960 ...

'' (Verve, 1962) – recorded in 1960 * ''

The Gerry Mulligan Quartet Gerald Joseph Mulligan (April 6, 1927 – January 20, 1996), also known as Jeru, was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and arranger. Though primarily known as one of the leading jazz baritone saxophonists—playing the instrum ...

'' (Verve, 1962) * '' Spring Is Sprung'' (Philips, 1963) – recorded in 1962 * '' Night Lights'' (Philips, 1963) – recorded in 1962 * '' Butterfly with Hiccups'' (Limelight, 1964) – recorded in 1963-64 With George Russell * '' New York N.Y.'' (Decca, 1959) * ''

Jazz in the Space Age ''Jazz in the Space Age'' is an album by George Russell originally released on Decca in 1960. The album contains tracks conducted and arranged by Russell performed by Ernie Royal, Bob Brookmeyer, Frank Rehak, Al Kiger, Marky Markowitz, David B ...

'' (Decca, 1960) With

Don Sebesky Don Sebesky (born December 10, 1937) is an American arranger, jazz trombonist, and keyboardist. Biography Sebesky trained in trombone at the Manhattan School of Music; in his early career, he played with Kai Winding, Claude Thornhill, Tommy D ...

* ''Three Works for Jazz Soloists & Symphony Orchestra'' (Gryphon, 1979) * ''I Remember Bill'' (RCA Victor, 1998) * ''Joyful Noise'' (RCA Victor, 1999) With

Bud Shank Clifford Everett "Bud" Shank Jr. (May 27, 1926 – April 2, 2009) was an American alto saxophonist and flautist. He rose to prominence in the early 1950s playing lead alto and flute in Stan Kenton's Innovations in Modern Music Orchestra and thro ...

* ''Bud Shank and Bob Brookmeyer'' (Pacific Jazz, 1954) * ''The Saxophone Artistry of Bud Shank'' (Pacific Jazz, 1956) With

* '' Tonite's Music Today'' (Storyville, 1956) * '' The Modern Art of Jazz'' (Dawn, 1956) * '' Bob Brookmeyer Octet Stretching Out'' (United Artists, 1959) * ''Choice'' (Pacific Jazz, 1961) * ''Suitably Zoot'' (Pumpkin, 1979) With

* '' The Power of Positive Swinging'' (Mainstream, 1965) * ''

Tonight Tonight may refer to: Television * ''Tonight'' (1957 TV programme), a 1957–1965 British current events television programme hosted by Cliff Michelmore that was broadcast on BBC * ''Tonight'' (1975 TV programme), a 1975–1979 British current ...

'' (Mainstream, 1965) * ''

Gingerbread Men A gingerbread man or a Gingerbread man cookie is a biscuit or cookie made from gingerbread, usually in the shape of a stylized form / caricature of a human being, although other shapes, especially seasonal themes (Christmas, Halloween, Easter, et ...

'' (Mainstream, 1966) * ''Previously Unreleased Recordings'' (Verve, 1973) * ''Gingerbread Gal'' (Mainstream, 1974) * ''What'd He Say'' (Mainstream, 1974) With others * Cannonball Adderley, '' African Waltz'' (Riverside 1961) *

Steve Allen Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen (December 26, 1921 – October 30, 2000) was an American television personality, radio personality, musician, composer, actor, comedian, and writer. In 1954, he achieved national fame as the co-cre ...

, ''...And All That Jazz'' (Dot, 1959) * Steve Allen, ''Soulful Brass #2'' (Flying Dutchman, 1969) *

Benny Aronov Benjamin James Aronov (October 16, 1932 – May 3, 2015) was an American jazz pianist, professionally known as Ben Aronov or Benny Aronov. Career Aronov was born in Gary, Indiana. He played in local jazz and dance ensembles as a teenager in Tuls ...

, ''Shadow Box'' (Choice, 1979) *

Ruby Braff Reuben "Ruby" Braff (March 16, 1927 – February 9, 2003) was an American jazz trumpeter and cornetist. Jack Teagarden was once asked about him on the Garry Moore television show and described Ruby as "the Ivy League Louis Armstrong". Braff ...

, ''Blowing Around the World'' (United Artists, 1959) *

Canadian Brass The Canadian Brass is a Canadian brass quintet formed in 1970 in Toronto, Ontario, by Charles Daellenbach (tuba) and Gene Watts (trombone), with horn player Graeme Page and trumpeters Stuart Laughton and Bill Phillips completing the quintet. ...

, ''Swingtime!'' (RCA Victor, 1995) *

Bobby Bryant Bobby Bryant (born January 24, 1944) is a former cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings. Early life At Willingham High School, he was a star in football along with basketball, track and field, and baseball. Bryant was recruited to play for the Un ...

, ''The Jazz Excursion into Hair'' (Pacific Jazz, 1969) * Monty Budwig, ''Dig'' (Concord Jazz, 1979) * Ralph Burns, ''Where There's Burns There's Fire'' (Warwick, 1961) *

Kenny Burrell Kenneth Earl Burrell (born July 31, 1931) is an American jazz guitarist known for his work on numerous top jazz labels: Prestige, Blue Note, Verve, CTI, Muse, and Concord. His collaborations with Jimmy Smith were notable, and produced the 1965 ...

, ''Both Feet On the Ground'' (Fantasy, 1973) *

Gary Burton Gary Burton (born January 23, 1943) is an American jazz vibraphonist, composer, and educator. Burton developed a pianistic style of four-mallet technique as an alternative to the prevailing two-mallet technique. This approach caused him to be he ...

, '' The Groovy Sound of Music'' (RCA Victor, 1965) *

, ''

The Genius of Ray Charles ''The Genius of Ray Charles'' is a 1959 Ray Charles album, released in October by Atlantic Records, the seventh album since the debut ''Ray Charles'' in 1957. The album consists of swinging pop with big band arrangements. It comprises a first half ...

'' (Atlantic, 1959) *

Teddy Charles Teddy Charles (April 13, 1928 – April 16, 2012) was an American jazz musician and composer, whose instruments were the vibraphone, piano, and drums. Career Born Theodore Charles Cohen in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, United States, he ...

, ''Teddy Charles Featuring Bobby Brookmeyer'' (Prestige, 1954) * Teddy Charles, ''Salute to Hamp Flyin' Home'' (Bethlehem, 1959) *

Tony Coe Anthony George Coe (born 29 November 1934) is an English jazz musician who plays clarinet, bass clarinet, flute as well as soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones. Career Born in Canterbury, Kent, England, Coe started out on clarinet and was self- ...

, ''Captain Coe's Famous Racearound'' (Storyville, 1996) * Al Jazzbo Collins, ''Presents Swinging at the Opera'' (Everest, 1960) *

John Dankworth Sir John Phillip William Dankworth, CBE (20 September 1927 – 6 February 2010), also known as Johnny Dankworth, was an English jazz composer, saxophonist, clarinettist and writer of film scores. With his wife, jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine, he ...

, ''The Zodiac Variations'' (Fontana, 1965) *

Eliane Elias Eliane Elias
BrowseBiography.com, 20 November 2011; retrieved 10 September 2014. is a Brazilian jazz pianist, sin ...

, Bob Brookmeyer, ''Play the Music of Eliane Elias Impulsive!'' (Stunt, 1997) *

, ''Waltz for Debby'' (Not Now Music, 2012) *

Gil Evans Ian Ernest Gilmore Evans (né Green; May 13, 1912 – March 20, 1988) was a Canadian–American jazz pianist, arranger, composer and bandleader. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest orchestrators in jazz, playing an important role ...

, ''Into the Hot'' (Impulse! 1962) * Harold Farberman,

Gunther Schuller Gunther Alexander Schuller (November 22, 1925June 21, 2015) was an American composer, conductor, horn player, author, historian, educator, publisher, and jazz musician. Biography and works Early years Schuller was born in Queens, New York City ...

, ''Dedicated to Dolphy'' (Cambridge, 1966) *

Dave Frishberg David Lee Frishberg (March 23, 1933 – November 17, 2021) was an American jazz pianist, vocalist, composer, and lyricist. His songs have been performed by Blossom Dearie, Rosemary Clooney, Shirley Horn, Anita O'Day, Michael Feinstein, Irene Kr ...

, ''You're A Lucky Guy'' (Concord Jazz, 1978) *

Curtis Fuller Curtis DuBois Fuller (December 15, 1932May 8, 2021) was an American jazz trombonist. He was a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and contributed to many classic jazz recordings. Early life Fuller was born in Detroit on December 15, 1932. ...

, '' Cabin in the Sky'' (ABC Impulse!, 1970) *

Terry Gibbs Terry Gibbs (born Julius Gubenko; October 13, 1924) is an American jazz vibraphonist and band leader. He has performed or recorded with Tommy Dorsey, Chubby Jackson,Theroux, Gary"Gibbs, Terry".''Grove Music Online''. Oxford University Press. R ...

, ''Swingin' with Terry Gibbs and His Orchestra'' (EmArcy, 1956) *

Astrud Gilberto Astrud Gilberto (; born Astrud Evangelina Weinert, March 29, 1940) is a Brazilian samba and bossa nova singer. She gained international attention in the 1960s following her recording of the song "The Girl from Ipanema". Biography Astrud Gilbe ...

, ''The Shadow of Your Smile'' (Verve, 1965) *

Buddy Greco Armando Joseph "Buddy" Greco (August 14, 1926 – January 10, 2017) was an American jazz and pop singer and pianist who had a long career in the US and UK. His recordings have sold millions, including "Oh Look A-There Ain't She Pretty", " Up, Up ...

, ''I Like It Swinging'' (Columbia, 1961) *

Bobby Hackett Robert Leo Hackett (January 31, 1915 – June 7, 1976) was an American jazz musician who played trumpet, cornet, and guitar with the bands of Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Hackett was a featured soloist o ...

, ''

Creole Cookin' ''Creole Cookin, is an album by cornetist Bobby Hackett which was released on the Verve label in 1967.Jim Hall, ''Live at Town Hall Vol. One'' (Musicmasters, 1991) * Jim Hall, ''Live at the North Sea Jazz Festival'' (Challenge, 1999) *

Judy Holliday Judy Holliday (born Judith Tuvim, June 21, 1921 – June 7, 1965) was an American actress, comedian and singer.Obituary '' Variety'', June 9, 1965, p. 71. She began her career as part of a nightclub act before working in Broadway plays and mus ...

, ''Holliday with Mulligan'' (DRG, 1980) *

Nancy Harrow Nancy Harrow (born October 3, 1930, New York City) is an American jazz singer and songwriter. Career Harrow studied classical piano beginning at age seven, then decided to pursue careers in dancing and singing. She released an album for Candid ...

, ''You're Nearer'' (Tono 1986) * Nancy Harrow, ''Street of Dreams'' (Poljazz, 1989) *

Chubby Jackson Greig Stewart "Chubby" Jackson (October 25, 1918 – October 1, 2003) was an American jazz double-bassist and band leader. Biography Born in New York City, Jackson began at the age of seventeen as a clarinetist, but quickly changed to bass in ...

, ''Chubby Takes Over'' (Empire, 2005) *

Thad Jones Thaddeus Joseph Jones (March 28, 1923 – August 20, 1986) was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader who has been called "one of the all-time greatest jazz trumpet soloists". Biography Thad Jones was born in Pontiac, Michigan, U ...

& Mel Lewis, ''Presenting Thad Jones Mel Lewis & the Jazz Orchestra'' (Solid State, 1966) * Thad Jones & Mel Lewis, ''Live at the Village Vanguard'' (Solid State, 1967) *

Teddi King Teddi King (September 18, 1929 – November 18, 1977) was an American jazz and pop vocalist. Born Theodora King in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, she won a singing competition hosted by Dinah Shore at Boston's Tributary Theatre, later beg ...

, ''Now in Vogue'' (Vogue, 1955) *

Michel Legrand Michel Jean Legrand (; 24 February 1932 – 26 January 2019) was a French musical composer, arranger, conductor, and jazz pianist. Legrand was a prolific composer, having written over 200 film and television scores, in addition to many son ...

, ''Plays Richard Rodgers'' (Philips, 1963) *

Mel Lewis Melvin Sokoloff (May 10, 1929 – February 2, 1990), known professionally as Mel Lewis, was an American jazz drummer, session musician, professor, and author. He received fourteen Grammy Award nominations. Biography Early years Lewis was ...

, ''Make Me Smile & Other New Works by Bob Brookmeyer'' (Finesse, 1982) * Harry Lookofsky, ''Stringsville'' (Atlantic, 1959) *

Charlie Mariano Carmine Ugo Mariano (November 12, 1923 – June 16, 2009) was an American jazz saxophonist who focused on the alto and soprano saxophone. He occasionally performed and recorded on flute and nadaswaram as well. Biography Mariano was born in ...

, ''A Jazz Portrait of Charlie Mariano'' (Regina, 1963) *

Gary McFarland Gary Robert McFarland (October 23, 1933 – November 3, 1971) was an American composer, arranger, vibraphonist and vocalist. He recorded for the jazz imprints Verve and Impulse! Records during the 1960s. '' Down Beat magazine'' said he made "on ...

, '' The Jazz Version of "How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying"'' (Verve, 1962) * Gary McFarland, '' Tijuana Jazz'' (Impulse! 1966) * Red Mitchell, ''Happy Minors'' (Bethlehem, 1955) *

Thelonious Monk Thelonious Sphere Monk (, October 10, 1917 – February 17, 1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including " 'Round Midnight", ...

, ''Monk's Blues'' (Columbia, 1992) *

Brew Moore Milton Aubrey "Brew" Moore (March 26, 1924 – August 19, 1973), was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Early life He was born in Indianola, Mississippi, United States. Moore's formal musical training began at twelve, first on trombone, then ...

, ''Brothers and Other Mothers Vol. 2'' (Savoy, 1979) *

Red Norvo Red Norvo (born Kenneth Norville; March 31, 1908 – April 6, 1999) was an American musician, one of jazz's early vibraphonists, known as "Mr. Swing". He helped establish the xylophone, marimba, and vibraphone as jazz instruments. His reco ...

, ''Red's Rose Room Red's Blue Room'' (RCA Camden 1976) *

Anita O'Day Anita Belle Colton (October 18, 1919 – November 23, 2006), known professionally as Anita O'Day, was an American jazz singer and self proclaimed “song stylist” widely admired for her sense of rhythm and dynamics, and her early big band app ...

, '' All the Sad Young Men'' (Verve, 1962) *

Babatunde Olatunji Michael Babatunde Olatunji (April 7, 1927 – April 6, 2003) was a Nigerian drummer, educator, social activist, and recording artist. Early life Olatunji was born in the village of Ajido, near Badagry, Lagos State, in southwestern Nige ...

, ''High Life!'' (Columbia, 1963) *

Freda Payne Freda Charcilia Payne (born September 19, 1942Some sources give a birth year of 1945, but this appears to be an error as all sources agree that she is older than her sister Scherrie, born 1944.) is an American singer and actress. Payne is best ...

, ''After the Lights Go Down Low and Much More!!!'' (Impulse! 1963) *

Oscar Pettiford Oscar Pettiford (September 30, 1922 – September 8, 1960) was an American jazz double bassist, cellist and composer. He was one of the earliest musicians to work in the bebop idiom. Biography Pettiford was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, United ...

, '' Another One'' (Bethlehem, 1955) *

Michel Petrucciani Michel Petrucciani (; ; 28 December 1962 – 6 January 1999) was a French jazz pianist. From birth he had osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disease that causes brittle bones and, in his case, short stature. He became one of the most accomplish ...

, ''Both Worlds'' (Dreyfus, 1997) * Bill Potts, ''The Jazz Soul of Porgy & Bess'' (United Artists, 1959) *

Jimmy Raney James Elbert Raney (August 20, 1927 – May 10, 1995) was an American jazz guitarist, born in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, known for his work from 1951 to 1952 and then from 1953 to 1954 with the Red Norvo trio (replacing Tal Farlow) and ...

, ''Jimmy Raney Featuring Bob Brookmeyer'' (ABC-Paramount, 1956) * Jimmy Raney, ''Jimmy Raney in Three Attitudes'' (ABC-Paramount, 1957) *

Tito Rodriguez Tito may refer to: People Mononyms *Josip Broz Tito (1892–1980), commonly known mononymously as Tito, Yugoslav communist revolutionary and statesman *Roberto Arias (1918–1989), aka Tito, Panamanian international lawyer, diplomat, and journal ...

, ''Live at Birdland'' (Bomba, 1963) *

Pee Wee Russell Charles Ellsworth "Pee Wee" Russell (March 27, 1906 – February 15, 1969), was an American jazz musician. Early in his career he played clarinet and saxophones, but he eventually focused solely on clarinet. With a highly individualistic and sp ...

Coleman Hawkins Coleman Randolph Hawkins (November 21, 1904 – May 19, 1969), nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.Yanow, Scot"Coleman Hawkins: Artist Biography" AllMusic. Retrieved December 27, 2013. One of the first p ...

, '' Jazz Reunion'' (Candid, 1961) *

Lalo Schifrin Boris Claudio "Lalo" Schifrin (born June 21, 1932) is an Argentine-American pianist, composer, arranger and conductor. He is best known for his large body of film and TV scores since the 1950s, incorporating jazz and Latin American musical elemen ...

, ''Samba Para Dos'' (Verve, 1963) *

Helen Schneider Helen Schneider (born December 23, 1952) is an American singer and actress working mainly in Germany. Life and career Helen Leslie Schneider was born in Brooklyn, New York City, the daughter of Dvora and Abraham Schneider. Schneider studi ...

, ''Right As the Rain'' (Tomato, 1995) * Tom Scott, ''Tom Scott in L.A.'' (Flying Dutchman, 1975) *

Carol Sloane Carol Sloane (born March 5, 1937) is an American jazz singer born in Providence, Rhode Island, who has been singing professionally since she was 14, although for a time in the 1970s she worked as a legal secretary in Raleigh, North Carolina. In ...

, ''Out of the Blue'' (Columbia, 1962) *

Henri Texier Henri Texier (born 27 January 1945) is a French jazz double bassist. At the age of sixteen, fascinated by the double bass, Texier became a self-taught bassist, crediting Wilbur Ware most as an influence. He formed his first group with Georges ...

, ''Respect'' (Label Bleu, 1997) *

Bob Thiele Bob, BOB, or B.O.B. may refer to: Places *Mount Bob, New York, United States *Bob Island, Palmer Archipelago, Antarctica People, fictional characters, and named animals * Bob (given name), a list of people and fictional characters *Bob (surname ...

, ''Head Start'' (Flying Dutchman, 1969) *

Toots Thielemans Jean-Baptiste Frédéric Isidor, Baron Thielemans (29 April 1922 – 22 August 2016), known professionally as Toots Thielemans, was a Belgian jazz musician. He was mostly known for his chromatic harmonica playing, as well as his guitar and whistl ...

, ''Yesterday & Today'' *

Jeremy Udden Jeremy Udden (born April 29, 1978) is an American musician, composer, and educator. Proficient in both the Alto and Soprano Saxophone, Udden also composes songs for his groups, ''Plainville'' and ''Torchsongs Trio''. His most notable albums from t ...

, ''Torchsongs'' (Fresh Sound, 2006) * Phil Urso, ''The Philosophy of Urso'' (Savoy, 1985) * Helen Ward,

Peanuts Hucko Michael Andrew "Peanuts" Hucko (April 7, 1918 – June 19, 2003) was an American big band musician. His primary instrument was the clarinet, but he sometimes played saxophone. Early life and education He was born in Syracuse, New York, United St ...

, ''With a Little Bit of Swing'' (RCA Victor, 1958) * George Williams, ''Put On Your Dancing Shoes'' (United Artists, 1960) * Joe Williams, ''Presenting Joe Williams and Thad Jones Mel Lewis, the Jazz Orchestra'' (Solid State, 1966) * Paul Williams, ''Just an Old Fashioned Love Song'' (A&M, 1971)

References

External links

Bob Brookmeyer's websiteRecord Company
(Challenge Records International) * *
Interview with Bob Brookmeyer
(New York Times Obituary)
Bob Brookmeyer Interview
NAMM Oral History Library (1997) {{DEFAULTSORT:Brookmeyer, Bob 1929 births 2011 deaths American jazz bandleaders American jazz composers American male jazz composers American jazz pianists American male pianists American jazz trombonists Male trombonists American music arrangers Cool jazz pianists Cool jazz trombonists Mainstream jazz pianists Mainstream jazz trombonists New England Conservatory faculty Musicians from Kansas City, Missouri Post-bop pianists Post-bop trombonists West Coast jazz pianists West Coast jazz trombonists Jazz arrangers ACT Music artists 20th-century trombonists 20th-century American pianists 20th-century American composers DR Big Band members Jazz musicians from Missouri 20th-century American male musicians Impulse! Records artists Verve Records artists Challenge Records (1994) artists 20th-century jazz composers ArtistShare artists

Biography

Compositional style

Honors and awards

Grammy Awards (nominations)

Discography

As leader/co-leader

As sideman

See also

References

External links