After working with Miles Davis’ influential nonet in NYC from 1948 – 1951, Gerry Mulligan moved to L.A. in 1952. He started playing at a local jazz club with a young trumpeter from Oklahoma named Chet Baker. They hit it off and began recording for the fledgling Pacific Jazz label.
Their collaboration came to an abrupt end a few months later when Mulligan was arrested on a narcotics charge that sent him to prison for six months.
Here we have an original composition by bassist Carson Smith that starts off with a driving descending bass riff. The two horns seem to glide and meander like a pair of ice skaters circling one another on a frozen pond, resulting in a mesmerizing performance.
Recorded in Hollywood, Gold Star Studios on February 24, 1953
Released as Pacific Jazz PJ 611.
Credits
Chet Baker – trumpet
Gerry Mulligan – baritone sax
Carson Smith – bass
Larry Bunker – drums