Gerry Mulligan

Gerald Joseph Mulligan, 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 instrument with a light and airy tone in the era of cool jazz—Mulligan was also a significant arranger working with Claude Thornhill, Miles Davis, Stan Kenton, and others. His piano-less quartet of the early 1950s with trumpeter Chet Baker is still regarded as one of the best cool jazz ensembles. Mulligan was also a skilled pianist and played several other reed instruments. Several of his compositions including "Walkin' Shoes" and "Five Brothers", have become standards.

6 April 1927

Born on the same birth day (6 April): Adrián Alonso • David Woodard • Feodor Lynen • Hirotada Ototake • Karl Staaf • Martín Méndez • Patrick Hernandez • Remi Nicole • Rodney Bickerstaffe • Roger Cook (journalist) • Stanislas de Guaita • Vince Flynn • Wilhelm von Kobell

Born in the same month (April 1927): Arne Hoel • Carmen Basilio • Harry Gallatin • Joe Moakley • Margot Honecker • Phil Hill • Samuel P. Huntington • Tadeusz Mazowiecki • Tiny Hill (rugby union)