Mulligan started on the piano before learning clarinet and the various saxophones. His initial reputation was as an arranger. In 1944 he wrote charts for Johnny Warrington's radio band and soon was making contributions to the books of Tommy Tucker and George Paxton. He moved to New York in 1946 and joined Gene Krupa's Orchestra as a staff arranger; his most notable chart was "Disc Jockey Jump." The rare times he played with Krupa's band was on alto and the same situation existed when he was with Claude Thornhill in 1948.
Gerry Mulligan's first notable recorded work on baritone was with Miles Davis' Birth of the Cool nonet (1948-50) but once again his arrangements ("Godchild," "Darn That Dream" and three of his originals "Jeru," "Rocker" and "Venus de Milo") were more significant than his short solos. Mulligan spent much of 1949 writing for Elliot Lawrence's orchestra and playing anonymously in the saxophone section. It was not until 1951 that he began to get a bit of attention for his work on baritone. Mulligan recorded with his own nonet for Prestige, displaying an already recognizable sound. After he traveled to Los Angeles, he wrote some arrangements for Stan Kenton (including "Youngblood," "Swing House" and "Walking Shoes"), worked at the Lighthouse and then gained a regular Monday night engagement at the Haig. Around this time Mulligan realized that he enjoyed the extra freedom of soloing without a pianist. He jammed with trumpeter Chet Baker and soon their magical rapport was featured in his piano-less quartet. The group caught on quickly in 1952 and made both Mulligan and Baker into stars.
A drug bust put Mulligan out of action and ended that quartet but, when he was released from jail in 1954, Mulligan began a new musical partnership with valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer that was just as successful. Trumpeter Jon Eardley and Zoot Sims on tenor occasionally made the group a sextet and in 1958 trumpeter Art Farmer was featured in Mulligan's Quartet. Being a very flexible player with respect for other stylists, Mulligan went out of his way to record with some of the great musicians he admired. At the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival he traded off with baritonist Harry Carney on "Prima Bara Dubla" while backed by the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and during 1957-60 he recorded separate albums with Thelonious Monk, Paul Desmond, Stan Getz, Ben Webster and Johnny Hodges. Mulligan played on the classic Sound of Jazz television special in 1958 and appeared in the movies I Want to Live and The Subterraneans.
During 1960-64 Mulligan led his Concert Jazz Band which gave him an opportunity to write, play baritone and occasionally double on piano. The orchestra at times included Brookmeyer, Sims, Clark Terry and Mel Lewis. Mulligan was a little less active after the big band broke up but he toured extensively with the Dave Brubeck Quartet (1968-72), had a part-time big band in the 1970s (the Age of Steam), doubled on soprano for a period, led a mid-'70s sextet that included vibraphonist Dave Samuels, and in 1986 jammed on a record with Scott Hamilton. In the 1990s he toured the world with his excellent "no-name" quartet and led a "Rebirth of the Cool Band" that performed and recorded remakes of the Miles Davis Nonet classics. Up until the end, Gerry Mulligan was always eager to play. Gerry Mulligan died on January 20th, 1996 in Darien, CT.
Among Mulligan's compositions were "Walkin' Shoes," "Line for Lyons," "Bark for Barksdale," "Nights at the Turntable," "Utter Chaos," "Soft Shoe," "Bernie's Tune," "Blueport," "Song for Strayhorn," "Song for an Unfinished Woman" and "I Never Was a Young Man" (which he often sang). He recorded extensively through the years for such labels as Prestige, Pacific Jazz, Capitol, Vogue, EmArcy, Columbia, Verve, Milestone, United Artists, Philips, Limelight, A&M, CTI, Chiaroscuro, Who's Who, DRG, Concord and GRP. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Taking a Chance on Love
Gerry Mulligan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All aglow again, takin' a chance on love.
Here I slide again, about to take that ride again.
Starry-eyed again, takin' a chance on love.
I thought that cards were a frame-up, I never would try.
Now I'm taking that game up and the ace of hearts is high.
Things are mending now, I see a rainbow blending now.
Here I slip again, about to take that trip again.
I got that grip again, takin' a chance on love.
Now I prove again that I can make life move again.
Um - I'm in the groove again, takin' a chance on love.
I walk around with a horse shoe, in clover I lie.
And brother rabbit of course you better kiss your, foot good-bye.
On that ball again I'm ridin' for a fall again.
I'm gonna give my all again takin' a chance on love.
The song Taking a Chance on Love by Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker is about the courage to take risks in love. The lyrics express a willingness to overcome fear and doubt, and to embrace the possibility of happiness. The opening lines set the mood with the sound of trumpets blowing and the singer feeling aglow as he takes a chance on love once more. He describes himself as starry-eyed, expressing a sense of optimism and hopefulness.
The lyrics also touch on the fear of failure that often accompanies taking risks. The singer acknowledges that he thought cards were a "frame-up," or a rigged game, and never tried to play. However, he is now ready to take that game up and try his luck, with the ace of hearts being high. The lyrics use imagery of rainbows blending, and the promise of a happy ending, to convey the positive potential of taking a chance on love.
Towards the end of the song, the singer describes himself as being in the groove again, indicating a sense of confidence and readiness to try again. He carries a horse shoe, suggesting he believes in his own good luck. However, he acknowledges that taking risks always puts him at risk of falling, but he is ready to give it his all and take that chance on love.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I go again, I hear those trumpets blow again.
I'm diving back into love, an adventure that always feels fresh and new. Maybe this time it'll be different.
All aglow again, takin' a chance on love.
I feel vibrant and alive as I take a gamble on love. Who knows what the future holds?
Here I slide again, about to take that ride again.
I'm bracing myself for the roller coaster of love. I'm excited to take the leap.
Starry-eyed again, takin' a chance on love.
I'm optimistic and hopeful as I chase down the possibility of love. Even if it doesn't work out, the experience will be worth it.
I thought that cards were a frame-up, I never would try.
I used to be skeptical of love, thinking it was a set-up for disappointment. But now I'm willing to take a risk.
Now I'm taking that game up and the ace of hearts is high.
I'm fully committed to the game of love, and I'm feeling optimistic about my odds of success.
Things are mending now, I see a rainbow blending now.
My heart is healing and I can see the bright colors of happiness and possibility emerging. Love is in the air.
We'll have a happy ending now, takin' a chance on love.
Even though there are no guarantees in love, I feel confident that things will work out for the best. Love is always worth risking heartbreak for.
Here I slip again, about to take that trip again.
I'm dancing on the precipice of love once more, about to take the plunge. The thrill of the unknown is exhilarating.
I got that grip again, takin' a chance on love.
I'm confident in my ability to navigate the rocky road of love. I'm holding on tight and ready for the wild ride ahead.
Now I prove again that I can make life move again.
I'm proving to myself and to the world that I have the courage and the strength to seize life by the reins and make the most of every opportunity, including the chance for love.
Um - I'm in the groove again, takin' a chance on love.
I'm feeling the rhythm of life and love, and I'm fully immersed in the moment. I'm ready to follow my heart and see where it leads me.
I walk around with a horse shoe, in clover I lie.
I feel lucky in love, like I have the power of good fortune on my side. Nothing can stop me now.
And brother rabbit of course you better kiss your, foot good-bye.
Even my competitors in the love game can't bring me down. I'm too strong and too determined to let anyone else win.
On that ball again I'm ridin' for a fall again.
I know that love can be a risky endeavor, and that I might get hurt if things don't go as planned. But I'm brave enough to take the chance anyway.
I'm gonna give my all again takin' a chance on love.
I'm putting everything on the line for love, holding nothing back. It's a leap of faith, but it's worth it for the chance at a happy ending.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Latouche, Ted Fetter, Vernon Duke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind