Product Review

4CD Set
36-Page Booklet
24 BIT
Digitally Remastered
When Lars Gullin (1928-1976) switched from altosaxophone to fill the vacant baritone chair in Seymour Österwall s Stockholm band in 1949, it was destiny calling. Little more than a year later he was the finest baritone saxophonist in Sweden, at the Swedish jazz high table with such as Arne Domnérus, Åke Persson, Putte Wickmann and Rolf Ericson. With astonishing speed he also became a much sought-after focal point for visiting Americans like Lee Konitz, Stan Getz (both initial playing influences), Zoot Sims and James Moody. His rapid rise to international acclaim was crowned in 1954, when he was voted New Baritone Star in Down Beat the first non-American to win a Down Beat poll despite never having visited America. By then it was clear that he was among the greatest baritone saxophonists ever to grace the music; technically assured, harmonically sophisticated, endlessly inventive and blessed with a vein of melodic inspiration that never seemed to run dry.
The reasons for his phenomenal rise are evident in the studio recordings made under his name in the years 1951- 1955. While long, flowing lines and a very personal lyricism marked his work as a soloist, they were enhanced by his growing assurance, ambition and instrumental command. Other impressive facets of his musical personality were equally clear from the start, among them his talents as a fine composer and arranger. All are on display in the series of quartet, quintet, sextet, septet and octet recordings, made with some of the best Swedish and American jazzmen around, that announced a memorable new presence on the jazz scene.