Early Chet: Chet Baker Germany 1955-59

BAKER; TWARDZIK; BOND; LITTMAN; VALENTE; ORCHESTER KURT EDELHAGEN; ORCHESTER ROLF-HANS MÜLLER

As trumpeter in the Gerry Mulligan Quartet, Chet Baker first played his way into the hearts of fans in 1952 with lyrical ballads and a soothing tone. 'Bockhanalis' is the earliest number on Early Chet and a particularly valuable rarity: just four weeks after this concert, the quartet no longer existed. Aged just 24, the pianist Dick Twardzik died of a drug overdose in Paris on October 21, 1955. The idea of recording singer Caterina Valente in duet with Chet Baker was also ahead of its time: 'I'll Remember April' and 'Every Time We Say Goodbye.' 'Just Caterina and Chet - no one else. A meeting of ultimate refinement and ultimate simplicity,' wrote Joachim-Ernst Berendt. In these intimate duets, Chet Baker plays trumpet as only he knows how: delicate, melodic, supple. Early Chet sets out his personal agenda to communicate real depth using few notes.'

Price: $38.98