Details
Track Listing
1. Carson City Stage
2. Imagination
3. All the Things You Are
4. Bea's Flat
5. Happy Little Sunbeam
6. Pro Defunctus
7. Moonlight Becomes You
8. Stella by Starlight
9. Darn That Dream
10. Sweet Lorraine
11. Minor Yours
12. C. T. A.
13. To Mickey's Memory
14. Jumpin' Off a Clef
Album Notes
Personnel includes: Chet Baker (trumpet); Herb Geller, Art Pepper (alto saxophone); Jack Montrose (tenor saxophone); Bob Gordon, Bud Shank (baritone saxophone); Conte Candoli, Norman Faye (trumpet); Frank Rosolino (trombone); Bob Brookmeyer (valve trombone); Russ Freeman, Bobby Timmons (piano); Carson Smith, Joe Mondragon, Jimmy Bond, Leroy Vinnegar (bass); Larry Bunker, Shelly Manne, Lawrence Marable, Stan Levey (drums).
Producer: Richard Bock.
Compilation producer: Michael Cuscuna.
Recorded in Los Angeles, California between 1953 & 1956.
This 1953-1956 compilation represents Chet Baker's early days recording in Los Angeles. The appellation "cool" has been ascribed to Baker because of his often understated, contemplative approach to jazz, but on THE BEST OF CHET BAKER PLAYS we hear a trumpeter who defies any such categorization.
Just as Miles Davis' BIRTH OF THE COOL is canted more towards bebop than the atmospheric, textural and reflective attributes so often associated with cool jazz, ...CHET BAKER PLAYS is more about tightly arranged, uptempo burning than midtempo cool. Of course, Baker's introspective ballad playing is also featured on tracks such as "Moonlight Becomes You" and "Darn that Dream." Overall, however, what makes Baker's conception so unique in his early years, is the light, yet crisp, feel he and his band mates employ. Whether playing bebop or cool, his approach is consistent and, most of all, innovative. In short, THE BEST OF CHET BAKER PLAYS shows Baker's adaptability as well as his versatility.
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