This post is a tribute to Chet Baker (1929-1988). If you don’t know who he is be prepared to be wowed by his musical brilliance.
The Influence of Big Bands
The reason I have included Chet in a prompt about 1940’s music is because he was hugely influenced by the big bands of that decade. And in my life Chet has given me so much joy with his music.
His skill as a trumpet player was unique. He played trumpet the way people sing, and when hes sang it sounded like a mellow trumpet. If you don’t believe me you must listen to his work.
Beautiful Chet
He was one of those beautiful young men, like James Dean. But becoming addicted to drugs had a detrimental effect on his handsome face.
I only got to know about Chet Baker about 6 years ago. My man is a musician and I think people who know about music appreciate someone like Chet. As soon as I saw images of him I too appreciated him for different reasons!
So let me tell you a little about him.
Early Days
Chet was born into a musical family. One day his father bought home a trumpet from a pawn shop and Chet took to playing it like a duck to water!
Leaving school at 16 he joined the army as a band member. He became heavily influenced by people such as Dizzy Gillespie – a jazz trumpeter. Chet played the trumpet and the horn.
He left the army and apparently in 1949 he had his eureka moment.
Chet heard the Miles Davis recordings that would later become the top-selling jazz album of all-time, Birth of the Cool. He was to have – “connected with that style so passionately that he felt he had found the light.”
Around this time bass player Hersh Hamel met Baker at a tiny club in Hermosa Beach and they began playing together. Chet was described as the strong silent type and at this point had not involved himself at all with drugs.
Cool Jazz
In the 50′ Chet became the prince of cool Jazz partly due to his original style and partly due to some amazing images taken by photographer William Claxton of Chet doing his thing.
Naturally Hollywood came calling and Chet accepted a part in a movie “Hell’s Horizon,” (1955) although he had never acted before. After he was offered a contract but turned it down as he felt movie acting was extremely boring. Instead, in the mid/late 50’s, he toured and made several albums.
Drug Demise
Then, the heroin took him over leading to an arrest in 1960. Chet spent a year and a half in prison. Things continued to spiral out of control and in 1966 he was involved in a fight . The musician was so badly beaten in the face he couldn’t play for many years while he re-adjusted to his new facial muscles and false teeth.
He was able to gig for a bit but really because of his addiction and injuries his best years were behind him.
He died tragically falling from a hotel second floor window in 1988 – aged 59. The result of the inquest was accidental death. How sad. A beautiful man and a great talent.
And so
Right from the start of my relationship with my man he introduced me to so many different types of music. Chet was just one. But the sounds were so melodic I have often found myself returning to them of my own volition. This man was truly a great jazz musician , influenced by the amazing 1940’s big band music. What ever age you are I suggest you give him a whirl.
I really enjoyed your Baker piece! I’m a fan of his music, and his singing is just as adventurous and melodic as his playing!
Here’s a couple of urls that I think you’ll enjoy:
https://artsfuse.org/174143/jazz-commentary-chet-baker-the-climax-of-cool/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKVWp_Ekl44 (sad, complex face here – like the recording)
P.S. The rest of your blog is lively and unpredictable! Thanks for sharing your work!
Lou B.
San Francisco
Many thanks for the links and for reading – i think lively and unpredictable is a compliment lol
I know the name Chet Baker and enjoyed reading more about him 🙂
~ Marie xox
Woowweee.. you picked a looker May! He was a very talented young man and as soon as you mentioned Dizzy Gillespie being his influence it dawned on me who he was! It was tragic that his life this way.
Ah glad you know of him Jae- yes very tragic demise
May x
Thank you for reminding about this lovely musician
His music is lovely! Thank you for sharing this! ?
Great piece May, what a tragic waste of a life and talent. I cannot think when a piece of music has touched me in this way – I’ve listened to a fair bit of trumpet music because other people like it but until listening to Chet’s playing I had never heard such soft, emotional nuances. Your post has piqued my curiosity for more.
Chet Baker…I knew the name and couldn’t pinpoint why. I searched his name on YouTube and figured out the reason…his rendition of Summertime…one of the first songs, I learned as a classical singer.
But I can definitely SEE ? why he caught your attention. Definitely a looker haha.
How interesting that you are classically trained singer – wonderful!
May x
I adore Chet’s music, he was an iconic musician. However, as a singer he clawed his way into my hart. His version of ‘My funny Valentine’ moves me in many different ways.
Jor Thank u so much for your link – i love that too