Chet Baker

Chet Baker on vinyl: the trumpet and voice of cool jazz

In short: Chet Baker became famous in 1952 in Gerry Mulligan’s quartet – with a trumpet sound as quiet and lyrical as hardly anyone else’s. With “Chet Baker Sings” he showed in 1954 that he could sing the same way. He became one of the faces of West Coast jazz and later lived in Europe for many years. The Vinyl Room currently has 15 Chet Baker records.

What makes Chet Baker special?

Baker played few notes and gave each one plenty of space. In Gerry Mulligan’s quartet, which did without a piano, a transparent, swinging sound emerged – in our stock on the Gerry Mulligan Quartet record and on “Timeless”. On Pacific Jazz came “Chet Baker Sings”, recordings with strings and “Playboys” with Art Pepper.

In the late fifties Baker recorded for Riverside in New York: “In New York”, “Chet” and “Plays The Best Of Lerner & Loewe”. From later years we have “You Can’t Go Home Again” and, as a curiosity, “A Taste Of Tequila” with the Mariachi Brass.

From our stock

First pressings

Cool jazz

→ Pacific Jazz · World Pacific · Cool jazz · How to spot a first pressing

FAQ

What made Chet Baker famous? Gerry Mulligan’s quartet from 1952, with “My Funny Valentine” among others.

Did Chet Baker sing as well? Yes – “Chet Baker Sings” (1954) is one of his best-known records.

Which labels did Chet Baker record for? Mainly Pacific Jazz / World Pacific and Riverside, later many other labels.

Which Chet Baker records do you have? Among others “Chet Baker Sings”, “Playboys”, “Chet” and “In New York” – 15 records in all.