I received a phone call from Vic Lewis, telling me about the realization of his wish to record Gerry’s music.

The first time Gerry and I were in London together, Vic invited us for lunch and they talked about doing an album, but somehow, when a time was chosen, neither one nor the other was available for the project.

Gerry’s friendship with Vic goes back a long way, and they always enjoyed time together when we passed through London, still talking about the project!

I am pleased that Vic’s project is finally happening, and I am sure that Gerry, wherever he is, is very pleased too!

Francis D. Mulligan

I first became aware of Gerry’s writing in 1953 when Stan Kenton suggested that he send me a number of scores by Gerry, Shorty Rogers, Bill Russo and Bill Holman. I went into the studios at the end of 1953 and recorded the 10" Album "Mulligan’s Music," using the original arrangements and some by my band’s chief arranger, at that time, Johnny Keating. When I saw Gerry in Paris in 1954, I gave him a copy and he was overjoyed but queried one or two tempos. This was Gerry! and the beginning of a wonderful friendship. We met on many other occasions and often discussed projects of making more records. Once when I brought him to one of my team’s cricket matches, we even discussed making a record with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of which I am a principal life guest conductor. Alas this never happened. One of my greatest memories was when he send Judy Holiday in her car to pick me up and take me to Basin Street East for the premier performance of "The Concert Jazz Band." To me, this was the epitome of how a big band should play jazz. With a small group, I have gone back to some of Gerry’s closest associates for this CD. Manny Albam and Bob Brookmeyer have both arranged tunes by Gerry and on his suggestion, Bill Holman arranged tunes that he had previously scored for "The Concert Jazz Band."

The only thing missing was you JERU……… With all my love…..Vic