Description
Los Angeles, CACraft Recordings is pleased to reissue four classic, remastered titles from legendary jazz artist Chet Baker. The albums comprise Bakers entire output as a leader for the renowned jazz label Riversideall recorded and released between 1958 and 1959: (Chet Baker Sings) It Could Happen to You, Chet Baker in New York, Chet and Chet Baker Plays the Best of Lerner and Loewe. The recordings, which feature such icons as Bill Evans, Johnny Griffin and Kenny Burrell, have all been cut from their original analog master tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI.
In the winter of 2019, Bakers Riverside catalog was celebrated with the deluxe vinyl box set, The Legendary Riverside Albums. Now, these meticulously remastered recordings are available as individual albums.
Few musicians have embodied the romanticand ultimately tragicjazz figure as totally as Chesney Chet Baker (192988). Unschooled yet eloquent in his music, and a fast-liver who survived for nearly six decades, the Baker mystique has only reinforced one of the most haunting trumpet styles and ingenious approaches to jazz singing. The Los Angelesbased musician rose to fame in the early 50s, playing with established artists like Charlie Parker, Gerry Mulligan and pianist Russ Freemanpartnerships which would solidify his status as a major jazz star. By the end of the decade, when he signed a four-album deal with the New Yorkbased label Riverside, Baker had become known for his trademark West Coast cool jazz style. However, each of his recordings of this erawhich pair the artist with some of the best East Coast playersdemonstrate Bakers versatility as a modern trumpeter who could play with even the hardest boppers.
Chet Bakers West Coast cool comes to the Big Apple on Chet Baker in New York. The project would be Bakers first in a four album deal with the Big Apple-based Riverside Records. The bicoastal artist incorporates his decidedly undernourished sound and laid-back phrasing into the styling of Al Haig (piano), Johnny Griffin (tenor sax), Paul Chambers (bass), and Philly Joe Jones (drums). The results are uniformly brilliant as Bakers cool-toned solos fly and bop with authority around the equally impressive supporting soloists. Conversely, the same cohesive unity continues on the introspective numbers that are more akin to Bakers California cool. Undoubtedly one of the charms of this collection is the distinct choice of material. Running the gamut from the relaxed and soothing Polka Dots and Moonbeams and equally serene Blue Thoughts at one end of the spectrum to the percolating and driving intensity of Hotel 49 on the other.
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