Description

One of the greatest trumpeters and most popular cult-figures in jazz history, Chet Baker (1929-1988) was as famous for his rugged good looks and stormy personal life as he was for his gentle vocals and lyrical introspective trumpet playing. Gaining fame as a member of Gerry Mulligan s heralded piano-less quartet, Baker quickly became the undisputed trumpet king of the 1950s West Coast cool jazz sound. His beautiful tone, delicate and haunting melodic lines and masterful sense of space imbued his music with a warm, nostalgic quality, and earned him a fan base that extended well beyond the boundaries of the traditional jazz enthusiast. This set combines some fiery instrumentals along with some of his best vocals, among them the Rodgers & Hart song My Funny Valentine , which would become a theme song for Baker over the course of his extended career..