This summer was extremely hot. As the weather gradually settles, I listen to the music of Chet Baker (December 1929 – May 1988). Chet became famous as a star trumpeter at a young age, but his days of glory, filled with both light and shadows of youth, did not last long. Meanwhile, even now, more than thirty years after his passing, Chet’s musical spirit continues to be passed down to young musicians today. I intend to explore the essence of Chet Baker’s music by examining three of his albums.
#298 Masterpiece that Captures Unique Emotional Depth and Nuances Characteristic of Chet
Chet Baker Sings
(Universal Music UCCU-46052)
Of all Chet Baker’s albums, “Sings” is one of his finest and most beloved recordings. Chet’s dark singing voice is not rich in volume, but his androgynous, languid expression is highly distinctive and strongly reminiscent of jazz. When Chet recorded this album in the mid-1950s, he was still in his early twenties. During the vibrant West Coast jazz boom, he reached the peak of his popularity as a trumpeter, topping the charts in DownBeat and Metronome magazines. When Chet happened to sing ＜I Fall in Love too Easily＞ in the studio, his unique personality was recognized, leading to sessions as a vocalist. Needless to say, his impressive trumpet solos were also featured. Chet’s trumpet, playing the melody lyrically, is filled with the brilliance and sweetness of youth, along with a faint sense of sorrow. His vocals, too, are saturated with melancholy and pierce our hearts.
All the songs, including the famous ＜My Funny Valentine,＞ ＜That Old Feeling,＞ and ＜The Thrill Is Gone,＞ are masterpieces colored by Chet’s unique “aesthetics.” While “Chet Baker Sings” is also available as a stereo album featuring overdubs, such as added guitar, I recommend enjoying the original mono recording for an enhanced audio experience.
#299 Tasteful Album from Chet’s Later Years
When Sunny Gets Blue / Chet Baker
(LP Steeplechase G1221)
Among the prominent figures in the jazz world, few had a life as turbulent as Chet Baker’s. He had been arrested and imprisoned multiple times due to incidents related to drug troubles. Starting in the mid-1970s, he shifted his focus to Europe, carrying only his trumpet and continuing to play wherever he was invited.
Chet visited Japan twice in his lifetime. These two visits occurred during his later years, in March 1986 and May 1987. Although he made some recordings in Japan, this album was recorded at a studio in Copenhagen in February 1986, just before his first trip to Japan, and features a one-horn quartet supported by a local rhythm section. This recording was made two years before his death. Having passed his mid-fifties and experienced all the hardships of life, Chet’s trumpet sounds like a deeply felt monologue from him. In ＜Isn’t It Romantic,＞ we can hear his vocals, which are even more mature and refined. The pure music seems to reflect the clear state of mind he had in his later years. The focus shifts from the content of the play to Chet’s life itself. The original album was released on CD and has been reissued. However, I recommend enjoying it on LP, which was first reissued late last year.
#300 Tribute Album to Chet by Contemporary Young Musicians
Chet Baker Re:imagined
(Universal Music UCCM-1278)
Chet Baker’s music transcends the realm of jazz and continues to inspire many musicians today. The creation of films about his life, such as “Born To Be Blue” in 2015 and “My Foolish Heart” in 2018, demonstrates that Chet’s music is not just a relic of the past. Instead, it transcends time and remains resonant in the present.
“Chet Baker Reimagined,” released in Japan this May, is an album featuring young musicians from the UK, the US, South Korea, the Netherlands, and Austria, representing diverse styles including jazz, pop, folk, and R&B. Each artist reinterprets pieces primarily from “Chet Baker Sings.” It’s incredible how every track fully captures the essence of Chet Baker within a contemporary sound. This is undoubtedly the best proof that Chet was playing music that transcended time, even in those early days. The domestic release features a bonus track: ＜My Ideal,＞ a guitar and vocal performance by Mei Semones, a Michigan native of Japanese descent. There is a lot to appreciate in the audio quality. When you slightly increase the volume, the intricate details of the music, along with the rich bass, will warmly surround the listener’s heart, much like Chet’s music itself.
About the Author
Masamichi Okazaki
Surrounded by various kinds of music from his childhood, Masamichi Okazaki joined Waseda University Modern Jazz Club. He started contributing articles to music magazines when he was a student. He covers wide range of music not only trad, modern and contemporary jazz, but also from pops to classics. He writes liner notes for CDs and LPs, and is a regular contributor to “JAZZ JAPAN,” “STEREO,” and others. He joined a big band, “Shiny Stockings,” as a saxophone player. He is a director of The Music Pen Club Japan (MPCJ).
