Gerry Mulligan (1927- ) is a significant baritone saxaphonist, writer, and leader in jazz. He is among the most versatile figures in modern jazz, and has long been recognized as the most important baritone saxaphonist in jazz since Harry Carney. Mulligan helped to create the cool idiom, but is equally at home in a big-band, bop, or dixieland context. Gerry Mulligan originally made his reputation as an arranger of band scores with intricate inner parts, as heard in Miles Davis's nonet settings of Jeru, Godchild, and Venus de Milo. Other historical arrangements include work with Gene Krupa's big band, most notably Disc Jockey Jump. Mulligan's sax skills became internationally recognized in 1952 with his first "pianoless" quartet , with Chet Baker on trumpet. Mulligan's unusual musical adaptability is shown with his works with artists as varied as Johnny Hodges to Thelonious Monk. Some of his best playing may be heard in his recordings with Chet Baker, Bob Brookmeyer, and most notably Paul Desmond, whom he shares an unusual talent for improvised countermelody.