Lars Gullin

Lars Gullin was arguably the most important Swedish jazz musician of the 1950s, a brilliant cool-toned baritone saxophonist who fortunately recorded regularly. Gullin could swing as hard as Zoot Sims and could have competed with fellow baritonist Gerry Mulligan (it is a pity that they never recorded together), but mostly performed in Scandinavia. The Dragon label has been doing a superb job of reissuing Gullin's most important recordings both as a leader and as a sideman. As usual for this series, Vol. 7 has a 20-page booklet full of photos and significant information. Gullin is featured on three previously unreleased performances (two are alternate takes) with a quartet from 1951-1952, on a very rare version of "You Go to My Head," and with pianist Rune Ofwerman in a different quartet from the period. A 1952 project has Gullin performing eight of his originals; all are obscure and a few deserve to be revived. His medium-size group includes trombonist Ake Persson and altoist Arne Domnérus. In addition, Gullin and Persson team up on eight other numbers in a pianoless quartet. One of the songs is called "Holiday for Piano." Throughout, Lars Gullin is heard in his early prime, showing that by the early '50s, jazz had long become an international language. All of the CDs in this valuable series are highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide