CHET BAKER SINGS

Original released on 10" LP Pacific Jazz PJLP-11 (US, April 1954)

and on 12" LP Pacific Jazz PJ-1222 (US, 1956)

As Gerald Heard's liner notes point out, it's difficult to decide whether Chet Baker was a trumpet player who sang or a singer who played trumpet. When the 24-year-old California-based trumpeter started his vocal career in 1954, his singing was revolutionary; as delicate and clear as his trumpet playing, with a similarly bright and vibrato-free tone, Baker simply didn't sound like any previous jazz singer. His first vocal session, recorded in February 1954 (8 tracks), is so innocent-sounding it's like cub reporter Jimmy Olsen had started a new career as a jazz singer. The album's remainng six tracks, recorded in July 1956, are even more milk and cookies, thanks in no small part to syrupy material like Frank Loesser's "I've Never Been in Love Before" and Donaldson/Kahn's drippy "My Buddy." Choices from the earlier session like "My Funny Valentine" - arguably the definitive version of this oft-recorded song - and "There Will Never Be Another You" work much, much better. The spacious musical setting, a simple trumpet and piano-bass-drums rhythm section, is perfect for Baker's low-key style. Despite the few faults of song selection, "Chet Baker Sings" is a classic of West Coast cool jazz. (Stewart Mason in AllMusic)

BUD SHANK & CHET BAKER

Original released on LP World Pacific WP-1840

(US, February 1966)

THE MARIACHI BRASS: "In The Mood"

Original released on LP World Pacific WPS-21859

(US, February 1967)

THE MARIACHI BRASS: "Double Shot"

Original released on LP World Pacific WPS 21852

(US, September 1966)

THE MARIACHI BRASS: "A Taste Of Tequila"

Original released on LP World Pacific WP-1839

(US, January 1966)

CHET

Original released on LP Riverside RLP 12-299

(US, January 1959)

Chet Baker's penultimate session for Riverside - which was strictly instrumental - produced an all-star lineup to support him, including jazz heavyweights Pepper Adams, Bill Evans, and Kenny Burrell. Each of them makes important contributions to the session. Adams' baritone sax solo on "Alone Together" is one of the album's high points, while Herbie Mann and Bill Evans make their presence known on several cuts. Baker possessed one of the most melodious trumpets in jazz, compelling in its simplicity. Rarely extending his range above a single octave, he nonetheless had few peers when it came to slow, romantic ballads, which make up the playlist here. His characteristically soft approach is heard to good effect on "It Never Entered My Mind," where he works with the guitar of Kenny Burrell. Burrell and Baker also collaborate on a moving rendition of "September Song." "Chet" is a good place to hear Baker's special way with the horn, and is made even more attractive with the presence and contributions of top jazz artists. (Dave Nathan in AllMusic)

CHET IS BACK!

Original released on LP RCA Victor PML-10307

(ITALY, 1962)

Chet had moved to europe in the late 50s,where he was already a legend of jazz but he ended up in jail in Italy for a year on drug offences. On his release he recorded this set of cool jazz/bop in Milan with some fine european jazz musicians which focused on his instrumental rather than vocal chops. Chet plays well and sounds very much on his game but the real stars are in his backing band where the guitarist and sax player both provide stellar backing. Recorded in January 5, 1962, "Chet Is Back!" showcases the "cool" trumpeter cutting loose on such bop-oriented workouts as "Pent-Up House" and "Well, You Needn't." Backed skillfully by a young cadre of up-and-coming European musicians, including the stellar saxophonist Bobby Jaspar, Chet Baker may have never sounded better, including on the ballads. One listen to "Over the Rainbow" and it's clear this is an overlooked Baker classic. This 2003 reissue of "Chet Is Back!", includes four orchestral pop bonus tracks Baker recorded with Ennio Morricone around the same time as this session.

CHET BAKER - "It Could Happen To You"

Original released on LP Riverside RLP 12-278 (10 tracks)

(US, October 1958)

The ultra-hip and sophisticated "cool jazz" that Chet Baker (trumpet/vocals) helped define in the early '50s matured rapidly under the tutelage of producer Dick Bock. This can be traced to Baker's earliest sides on Bock's L.A.-based Pacific Jazz label. This album is the result of Baker's first sessions for the independent Riverside label. The Chet Baker Quartet featured on Chet Baker "Sings: It Could Happen to You" includes Kenny Drew (piano), Sam Jones (bass), and Philly Joe Jones (drums). (Performances by bassist George Morrow and drummer Dannie Richmond are featured on a few cuts.) This results in the successful combination of Baker's fluid and nonchalant West Coast delivery with the tight swinging accuracy of drummer Jones and pianist Drew. Nowhere is this balance better displayed than the opening and closing sides on the original album, "Do It the Hard Way" and "Old Devil Moon," respectively. One immediate distinction between these vocal sides and those recorded earlier in the decade for Pacific Jazz is the lissome quality of Baker's playing and, most notably, his increased capacity as a vocalist. The brilliant song selection certainly doesn't hurt either. This is an essential title in Chet Baker's 30-plus year canon. [Some reissues contain two bonus tracks, "I'm Old Fashioned" and "While My Lady Sleeps"]. (Lindsay Planer in AllMusic)