Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Chet Baker

Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker Jr. (December 23, 1929 – May 13, 1988) was an American trumpeter and vocalist renowned for his lyrical trumpet playing and vulnerable vocal style that helped define the movement of the 1950s. Born in , to musical parents—a father and mother—Baker moved with his family to in 1940, where he began playing the trumpet at age 11 in school bands. His early exposure to intensified during two stints in U.S. Army bands from 1946–1948 and 1950–1952, including service with the 298th Army Band in and the Sixth Army Band at the in , where he sat in with local groups. Baker's breakthrough came in 1952 when he joined Gerry Mulligan's innovative piano-less quartet, recording seminal tracks like "My Funny Valentine" and "Bernie's Tune" that showcased his mellow, improvisational sound influenced by and . That same year, he performed with , earning acclaim as a melodic improviser and dubbing him the "West Coast ." By 1953, Baker debuted as a and introduced his , detached vocal delivery in 1954 with songs like "But Not for Me," blending and to pioneer West Coast 's relaxed, introspective aesthetic. His peak popularity from 1953 to 1960 included tours with Count Basie and , film appearances such as Hell's Horizon (1955), and numerous recordings that established him as a romantic icon. Baker's career was profoundly disrupted by ongoing struggles with heroin addiction, leading to arrests and a prison sentence in Italy during the 1960s. In 1966, a severe beating in San Francisco knocked out his teeth, forcing him to relearn the trumpet and relocate to Europe for much of the 1970s. Despite these setbacks, he experienced a prolific revival in the late 1970s and 1980s, recording 11 albums in 1979 and 10 in 1980 while based abroad, including a guest spot on Elvis Costello's "Shipbuilding" (1983) and live performances in Tokyo as late as 1987. Baker died in Amsterdam after falling from a hotel window, an incident officially ruled accidental but surrounded by questions related to his methadone use. His legacy endures through influential works like the Grammy Hall of Fame-inducted "My Funny Valentine" and the 1988 documentary Let's Get Lost, which captured his artistry amid personal turmoil. Recent posthumous releases, including "Swimming by Moonlight" (2025) with unreleased late-life recordings and the tribute album "Chet Baker Re:Imagined" (2025), underscore his enduring influence.

Biography

Early Years

Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker Jr. was born on December 23, 1929, in Yale, Oklahoma, to Chesney Henry Baker Sr., a professional Western swing guitarist, and Vera Moser Baker, a pianist who worked in a perfume factory. Raised in a musical household during the Great Depression, Baker's early years were marked by modest circumstances, with his family relocating to Glendale, California, in 1940 seeking better opportunities. His parents' involvement in music fostered an environment where instruments and performances were commonplace, though his father had largely set aside professional playing due to economic hardships. Baker's initial exposure to music came through singing in a local church choir as a child, but his instrumental journey began in junior high school in Glendale, where he first took up the before switching to the at age 13, finding the latter more portable and suitable. Largely self-taught, he practiced diligently, drawing inspiration from radio broadcasts of leaders such as and , whose recordings captivated him during his formative years. By his mid-teens, Baker was performing in school bands and taking on local gigs around , honing his skills amid the vibrant swing and emerging jazz scene of the era. The postwar period introduced Baker to the revolutionary sounds of through records by innovators like and , which profoundly shaped his budding interest in and phrasing. At age 16, he left high school to enlist in the U.S. Army, where his military service offered structured training in the 298th Army Band, bridging his informal beginnings to more disciplined musical development.

Rise to Fame

Following his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1948, Chet Baker relocated to , where he briefly enrolled at to study music theory and harmony. He soon dropped out during his second year to focus on professional gigs in the local scene. Baker quickly secured early sideman roles, beginning with saxophonist Vido Musso's band in 1948, followed by tenor saxophonist from 1949 to 1950, and a brief stint with alto saxophonist in 1950. These engagements immersed him in the and emerging circles, honing his improvisational skills alongside prominent figures. In 1952, Baker joined baritone saxophonist to form the Gerry Mulligan Quartet, a pioneering pianoless ensemble that included bassist and drummer . The group's innovative sound, characterized by intimate interplay between the horns and rhythm section without piano, marked a fresh departure from denser arrangements and helped define the West Coast style. Their live performances at The Haig nightclub in that year captured this chemistry, particularly on the breakthrough recording of "," where Baker's lyrical solos drew widespread acclaim and elevated him to national prominence. Baker's ascent continued with his first solo outings for in 1953, including the EP Chet Baker Quartet featuring pianist Russ Freeman on selections like "Isn't It Romantic?" and "The Half-Dozens." This release solidified his reputation, as he won magazine's trumpet talent poll in both 1953 and 1954, outpacing established players like .

Peak Career and Tours

In the mid-1950s, Chet Baker reached the height of his fame as a leading figure in , transitioning from instrumentalist to a prominent vocalist while expanding his international presence. His 1954 album , released by , marked this pivotal shift, featuring his soft, introspective interpretations of standards such as "That Old Feeling" and "I've Never Been in Love Before," accompanied by a including Freeman. The record received significant commercial exposure and audience acclaim, solidifying Baker's appeal beyond traditional jazz circles and earning him top jazz vocalist honors in and polls that year. Baker's European tour from 1955 to 1956 further elevated his global stature, with performances in cities including , , and , where he collaborated with local musicians such as French pianist René Urtreger and Italian ensembles. These engagements produced notable recordings like Chet Baker in (1956) for Barclay Records, capturing live and studio sessions that showcased his lyrical work alongside rhythm sections. The tour not only broadened his fanbase but also introduced his , understated style to international audiences, contributing to his reputation as a romantic icon. Back in the United States, Baker formed his own quartet and quintet, often featuring pianist Russ Freeman and bassist Carson Smith, which allowed him to lead ensembles with a focus on relaxed, melodic improvisation. He reunited with former collaborator for the 1957 album Reunion with Chet Baker on World Pacific, recapturing elements of their innovative piano-less quartet sound from earlier in the decade. Extensive U.S. touring followed, including high-profile appearances at New York's in 1954 and 1955, where his performances drew enthusiastic crowds and highlighted his growing stardom. Baker's recording output during this period was prolific, emphasizing his affinity for ballads through romantic and introspective arrangements. The 1959 Riverside album Chet, featuring pianist Bill Evans, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Philly Joe Jones, presented a trio format that underscored Baker's vulnerable, emotive phrasing on tracks like "Alone Together." Similarly, Chet Baker Plays the Best of Lerner and Loewe (1959), also on Riverside with contributions from Evans, offered jazz reinterpretations of show tunes such as "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," blending his trumpet and vocal talents in a sophisticated, ballad-centric style. This era of success brought Baker widespread media attention, including cover features in Magazine in 1955, which captured his youthful allure. Often dubbed the "James of " for his brooding good looks and laid-back demeanor, Baker's image resonated with fans, particularly women, enhancing his status as a cultural phenomenon in the jazz world.

Decline and Addiction

Baker's heroin addiction began in the early 1950s, initially as occasional use amid the scene's prevalent , but it escalated dramatically by the mid-1950s following multiple arrests in for drug possession and forging prescriptions to obtain narcotics. Despite attempts at , including stints in federal facilities, Baker's dependency deepened, leading to brief jail time and a pattern of that profoundly disrupted his professional life. The addiction resulted in repeated incarcerations throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, marking a sharp decline from his earlier successes. In 1959, Baker was sentenced to six months at New York's for narcotics violations, serving four months before early release. Shortly after, while touring , he faced further legal consequences: arrested in , , in August 1960 for drug smuggling and , he was convicted and imprisoned for over a year, emerging physically weakened and more entrenched in his habit. These episodes not only halted performances but also strained his personal relationships, contributing to familial tensions over his increasingly unstable lifestyle. A pivotal physical setback occurred on February 11, 1966, when Baker was assaulted outside a club in a drug-related dispute, during which attackers knocked out most of his upper teeth, severely damaging his —the precise control of lips and facial muscles essential for playing. Multiple dental surgeries followed, including implants and , but Baker struggled to regain his former tone and endurance, rendering high-register playing painful and inconsistent for years. This injury exacerbated his career stagnation, leading to canceled tours and limited output, such as the subdued orchestral Chet Baker & Strings released that same year. To escape mounting U.S. legal pressures from ongoing charges, Baker relocated to in the early , adopting a nomadic existence across , , and , where he performed sporadically while evading . However, his fueled erratic behavior, including missed engagements and unreliable conduct that alienated promoters and collaborators, culminating in financial ruin as he pawned instruments for drugs and subsisted on low-paying gigs in small clubs. By the late , Baker transitioned to maintenance as a harm-reduction measure, though it did little to restore stability amid persistent relapses.

Comeback

Following his dental injury in 1966, which severely impacted his and led to a period of recovery involving , Chet Baker returned to performing in the late , aided by a specially adapted mouthpiece that allowed him to regain some control over his technique. opportunities proved crucial, providing a supportive environment away from U.S. legal troubles related to , enabling steady club work and recordings that rebuilt his career. By 1973, Baker's sound showed marked improvement, as evidenced in collaborations that highlighted his lyrical phrasing despite the physical challenges. From the 1970s onward, Baker established himself as a Europe-based artist, primarily residing in and later , where he recorded prolifically for labels including CTI and . Key releases from this period include She Was Too Good to Me (1974, CTI), featuring arrangements with and that blended standards with subtle influences, and You Can't Go Home Again (1977, A&M/Horizon), which incorporated string sections and electric elements alongside musicians like and to evoke a matured, reflective tone. These albums underscored his adaptation to contemporary production while preserving his signature intimacy. Baker frequently collaborated with younger European musicians, fostering innovative pairings that refreshed his sound. Notable examples include duet albums with vibraphonist Wolfgang Lackerschmid, such as Ballads for Two (1979, Sandra Music Productions) and subsequent works in the early 1980s that emphasized minimalist trumpet-vibraphone interplay on standards and originals. He also worked with British singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, contributing trumpet and vocals to tracks like "Shipbuilding" (1983, from Costello's Punch the Clock) and live performances in 1986 at Ronnie Scott's in London, culminating in vocal features on the 1988 release My Favourite London Songs. His resurgence involved extensive touring across , with occasional U.S. appearances, reflecting a nomadic centered on circuits. In the , live recordings like (1987, Paddle Wheel), captured during a Japanese tour, demonstrated a deepened style marked by fragile, emotive phrasing. By 1988, Baker had amassed over 100 albums, a testament to his enduring productivity. Baker played a role in jazz education during this phase, mentoring emerging European players through informal workshops and ensemble work, while participating in major festivals such as the in the 1980s, where his sets influenced a new generation with his vulnerable yet masterful approach.

Death

On May 13, 1988, Chet Baker, aged 58, died after falling from the second-story window of his room at the Prins Hendrik Hotel in , . His body was discovered around 3:10 a.m. by hotel staff and police on the pavement below, with severe head injuries consistent with a fall from approximately 30 feet. An autopsy revealed traces of and in Baker's bloodstream, along with small amounts of these substances found in his , indicating recent use. There was no evidence of foul play or a struggle at the scene. authorities officially ruled the accidental, attributing it to disorientation caused by , though they could not definitively determine if he had jumped, fallen asleep, or simply lost balance while leaning out the window. Baker had been residing in since 1987, drawn by the city's tolerant drug policies that allowed easier access to substances for his long-term addiction, as well as its vibrant scene where he frequently performed. He was in the midst of a tour across the at the time, having given recent concerts in the area, including one just days prior in nearby venues. Media reports speculated that the fall might have been , possibly linked to from years of drug abuse or underlying , but these claims were countered by accounts from friends and associates who described Baker as being in an optimistic mood in his final days, focused on upcoming work. His body was buried at in , alongside his father, following memorial services in the United States. The sudden death led to the immediate cancellation of his scheduled European tours, while a , Chet Baker Sings and Plays from the Film "Let's Get Lost", was hastily compiled and released posthumously in 1989 from recordings made for the documentary of the same name.

Personal Life

Marriages and Relationships

Chet Baker's first marriage was to Charlaine Souder, a high school acquaintance he met during his early musical pursuits in , in 1950 while on leave from ; the union lasted until their divorce in 1956 amid his burgeoning fame and personal challenges. The couple established a temporary home in the area, but Baker's touring schedule and nomadic lifestyle strained the relationship, leading to separation as his career accelerated. In spring 1956, during a tour stop in , Baker married Halema Alli, a 20-year-old woman he met at a performance; the marriage lasted until their in 1964, strained by his constant travels and personal issues, including drug use. This partnership provided some stability during his international engagements but ultimately dissolved amid his unsettled existence. Baker's third and longest marriage was to English dancer and actress Carol Jackson, whom he met in Italy around 1961; they wed in 1964 and remained together until his death in 1988, despite ongoing pressures from his addictions and periods of imprisonment. Jackson managed his professional affairs, accompanied him on European tours, and helped maintain homes in places like Oklahoma and Italy, offering a degree of continuity to his otherwise erratic life. The couple had three children: Dean in 1962, Paul in 1965, and Melissa in 1966. Throughout his life, Baker engaged in numerous extramarital affairs, including a notable romance with enthusiast Cukier in the mid-1950s while still married to Souder, which fueled his reputation as a charismatic yet unreliable as depicted in biographical accounts. These intense, often short-term relationships with fans and fellow musicians' partners intersected with his touring lifestyle, providing temporary companionship but rarely long-term anchors amid his peripatetic career.

Family and Children

Chet Baker had four children from two of his marriages. His second marriage to Halema Alli produced a son, Chesney Aftab Baker, born in 1957, to whom Baker dedicated the "Chetty's Lullaby". His third marriage to resulted in three children: son (born 1962), son Paul Baker (born 1965), and "Missy" Baker (born 1966). Baker's fatherhood was strained by his demanding career, which involved constant touring across the and , as well as his ongoing struggles with addiction that led to multiple arrests and incarcerations. He was characterized as an irresponsible and distant father, often absent from his children's lives. Family members, including , have recounted infrequent visits and the challenges of his unreliable presence due to these personal issues. While specific details on financial support like are limited, his children were primarily raised by their mothers, with managing much of the family responsibilities during Baker's European periods. In his later years, family dynamics shifted toward support, with Carol acting as a primary during Baker's health crises, including recovery from beatings that damaged his and exacerbated his addiction-related decline. After Baker's in 1988, his remained involved in preserving his , notably through Carol's editing and publication of his unfinished , As Though I Had Wings: The Lost Memoir, in 1997. In interviews, Baker occasionally reflected on his , noting that his children were grown and independent by the , though he rarely delved into personal regrets publicly.

Musical Contributions

Style and Technique

Chet Baker's trumpet playing epitomized the aesthetic of the scene, characterized by a light, airy tone produced with minimal vibrato and a restrained . Influenced by the subdued lyricism of , Baker employed breathy phrasing and subtle half-valve effects to evoke emotional intimacy, creating a fragile, almost whispered quality in his solos that prioritized vulnerability over virtuosic display. This approach is vividly illustrated in his iconic rendition of "," where the trumpet's soft, ethereal lines convey a sense of quiet longing, setting him apart from the more aggressive trumpeters of the era. Baker's vocal style, debuting on the 1954 album Chet Baker Sings, featured a soft, whispery —often described as a fragile, tremulous high with an androgynous languor—that mirrored his restraint. He delivered lyrics with a vulnerable, intimate fragility, frequently improvising words or blending scat-like rhythmic elements with straightforward crooning to maintain melodic flow, eliminating traditional "hot" vocal flourishes like heavy or slurs. This technique not only extended his trumpet's into song but also drew criticism for its perceived lack of conventional , yet it captivated audiences by emphasizing raw emotional exposure over polished performance. Throughout his early career in the , Baker's style leaned toward melodic elaboration with occasional bebop-inflected speed, as heard in his work with the Quartet, but it always favored simplicity over harmonic complexity. A pivotal shift occurred after a assault that knocked out his upper teeth, forcing him to adapt to and a looser , which curtailed his range and power. This injury redirected his focus toward ballad-oriented lyricism, resulting in more subdued, introspective improvisations that relied on space and emotional depth rather than technical agility, allowing him to sustain a career into the 1980s despite the physical limitations. In improvisation, Baker consistently preferred flowing melodic lines drawn from the and basic tones, emphasizing rhythmic precision, , and minimalist phrasing to heighten expressiveness, much like Davis's restraint but with greater integration of vocal elements across his performances. His habit of embellishing head melodies during static harmonic sections underscored this approach, creating cohesive, song-like solos that avoided dense or rapid-fire runs in favor of evocative simplicity.

Original Compositions

Although Chet Baker was renowned primarily as an interpreter of standards rather than a prolific , he contributed a modest number of original pieces throughout his career, often reflecting personal or collaborative inspirations within the idiom. These works, totaling around 20 verified compositions, typically featured melodic trumpet lines and understated rhythms, aligning with his signature lyrical style. One of Baker's earliest originals, "Freeway," recorded in 1952 with the Quartet, captures the driving energy of through its up-tempo swing and contrapuntal interplay between and baritone . The piece, a contrafact built on familiar chord changes, exemplifies Baker's ability to infuse buoyant momentum into ensemble settings during his formative years with . In 1953, Baker composed "Motel" for the Quartet, a relaxed mid-tempo tune that highlights subtle harmonic shifts and his emerging vocal phrasing, later reinterpreted in various configurations. That same year, "Happy Little Sunbeam" appeared on early Pacific Jazz sessions with his featuring Russ Freeman, serving as a gentle, light-hearted feature that underscores Baker's melodic sensitivity. During his 1954-1955 period, Baker co-authored several pieces, including "A Line" with his ensemble, an effervescent line evoking the breezy optimism of the era, and "Grey December" alongside and Russ Freeman, a more introspective contrasting seasonal melancholy with warm brass tones. "The ," another 1954 solo credit, delivers a fluid, windswept quality through its sinuous melody, recorded in a context that emphasizes improvisational . In the late 1950s, Baker collaborated with on "Picture of Heath," "Resonant Emotions," and "Tynan Time" (all 1958), forming a suite-like from their sessions that paid homage to influences like bassist and producer Joe Tynan through vibrant, thematic explorations. Baker's European exile in the late 1950s and early 1960s yielded poignant works like "Chetty's Lullaby" (1962), a tender trumpet-led written during his and dedicated to his son Chesney, featuring Italian lyrics by Alessandro Maffei and evoking familial introspection amid personal struggles. Paired on the same single, "So che ti perderò" (I Know I'll Lose You), also from 1962, is a melancholic composition with music by Baker and lyrics by Maffei, reflecting themes of loss and exile, with orchestral arrangements enhancing its emotional depth. Later in his career, following his 1966 comeback, Baker's originals became sparser but more personal. In the , tracks like "Margerine," "This Is the Thing," and "Whatever Possess'd Me" (1964) showcase introspective vocal-trumpet hybrids, while 1970s-1980s pieces such as "" (1977), "Tidal Breeze" (1978), and "Broken Wing" (1979) convey a weathered lyricism shaped by his life's vicissitudes. These later efforts, often recorded in small groups, prioritize emotional resonance over complexity, mirroring Baker's interpretive focus.

Legacy

Awards and Honors

Baker garnered widespread acclaim in the jazz community during the 1950s through victories in prominent industry polls. From 1953 to 1958, he secured multiple wins in DownBeat magazine's annual critics' and readers' polls for trumpet, often outranking contemporaries like Miles Davis and Clifford Brown. He also topped similar trumpet categories in Metronome magazine's readers' polls during this period. Baker's vocal talents earned him top placement in DownBeat's readers' poll for best male jazz vocalist in 1954. These successes extended to Playboy magazine's jazz awards, where Baker won trumpet honors in the 1950s, reflecting his rising popularity in West Coast cool jazz circles. The Playboy Jazz Poll of 1957, for instance, named him among the all-star winners, leading to featured recordings on compilation albums celebrating poll victors. Later in his career, Baker received further formal recognition. In 1977, his album You Can't Go Home Again—a fusion-influenced project produced by —highlighted his adaptability amid personal challenges. In 1987, Baker was inducted into the and Jazz Hall of Fame, honoring his enduring contributions to trumpet. Posthumously, he was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame in 1989, the Jazz Hall of Fame in 1991, and received inductions for "" in 2003 and in 2001.

Cultural Impact and Posthumous Recognition

Chet Baker earned enduring icon status as the "Prince of Cool," embodying the laid-back aesthetic of and inspiring revivals of the genre's melodic, introspective style. His influence extended to later musicians, such as trumpeter Paolo Fresu, who paid homage through the 1999 album Shades of Chet, blending Baker's sensibilities with modern improvisation. This legacy in vocal-jazz fusion has resonated in contemporary scenes, shaping artists who fuse jazz standards with pop and soul elements. In 2023, ranked Baker #116 on its list of the "200 Greatest Singers of All Time," lauding his "retiring" and vulnerable delivery that conveyed emotional fragility through sparse phrasing. Posthumous media has amplified Baker's mystique, with Bruce Weber's 1988 documentary Let's Get Lost capturing his final years and earning the Grand Jury Prize at the . The 2001 London stage play Chet Baker: Speedball at the Oval House Theatre dramatized his turbulent life and musical highs, drawing from his personal struggles and improvisational genius. Biographies like James Gavin's Deep in a Dream: The Long Night of Chet Baker (2002) provide a comprehensive account of his rise and fall, based on extensive interviews revealing the human cost of his addictions. Baker's own fragmented , As Though I Had Wings: The Lost Memoir, published in 1997, offers raw insights into his 1950s scene experiences and early drug use. A October 2024 article in Everything Jazz reflected on Baker's bittersweet , highlighting how his romanticized image coexists with the tragedy of his self-destructive path, ensuring his music's ongoing relevance. In , tributes marked the continued vitality of Baker's influence, including Decca's Chet Baker Re:Imagined , released on April 11, featuring contemporary artists reinterpreting his songbook in fresh arrangements. Additionally, Record Store Day's April vinyl reissue of +2 introduced previously unheard live performances, reigniting interest among vinyl collectors and enthusiasts.

Discography

Studio Albums

Chet Baker's studio albums represent a prolific output spanning four decades, with approximately 60 recordings that capture his development from trumpeter to a vocalist known for his fragile, emotive delivery. These works were released on a variety of labels, including Pacific Jazz, , , , , CTI, and Enja, and employed diverse production styles—from minimalist small combo sessions emphasizing intimate interplay to lush and orchestral arrangements that amplified his lyrical phrasing. Early in his career, Baker achieved a vocal breakthrough with (1954, Pacific Jazz), an album featuring 10 tracks of standards like "" and "That Old Feeling," where his light, breathy tenor voice complemented his muted work in a context. Five years later, (1959, Riverside) highlighted his ballad expertise, with pianist contributing on tracks such as "" and "," supported by a including on bass. Baker's European recordings marked a transitional phase, exemplified by Chet Is Back! (1962, ), cut in with Bobby Jaspar on and , René Thomas on guitar, Amedeo Tommasi on piano, Benoit Quersin on bass, and Daniel Humair on drums shortly after his release from , signaling his resilient return to instrumental prowess on uptempo bop numbers and ballads. Later, following a 1966 incident that damaged his teeth and shifted his focus toward vocals, Baker continued to explore introspective balladry in his European work. In his later years, Baker explored more ambitious formats, as seen in You Can't Go Home Again (1977, Prestige/A&M Horizon), which incorporated orchestral arrangements by Don Sebesky and electric elements with drummer Tony Williams, blending jazz fusion influences on tracks like "You Can't Go Home Again" and "Bessie's Blues." His final major release, the live album My Favourite Songs (The Last Great Concert Vol. 1) (1988, Circle), recorded in London, features Baker with Nicola Stilo (flute, guitar), Jean-Louis Rassinfosse (bass), and Philip Catherine (guitar) in a setting interpreting standards, reflecting his late-career affinity for songbook material. Notable reissues in the , particularly through Original Jazz Classics and Mosaic Records, featured remastered sound with added alternate takes—such as outtakes from and —enhancing accessibility and revealing the depth of his studio sessions.

Live Albums and Compilations

Chet Baker's live recordings showcase his improvisational flair and emotional depth, often revealing a rawer, more spontaneous side of his playing and vocals compared to studio sessions. One early highlight is the 1953 live by the Chet Baker Quartet with Russ Freeman at The Haig nightclub in , captured on the compilation The Complete Pacific Jazz Live Recordings of the Chet Baker Quartet with Russ Freeman, which includes tracks like "Isn't It Romantic?" and demonstrates the group's tight interplay amid audience energy. Similarly, the 1966 Live at Pueblo, Colorado reflects Baker's resilience following his jaw injury earlier that year, featuring a with Phil Urso on performing standards with variable tempos and unscripted solos that highlight his post-recovery adaptability. Later in his career, Baker's international tours yielded compelling documents of his mature style, such as , recorded on June 14, 1987, during his final tour with pianist Harold Danko, bassist Hein van de Geyn, and drummer John Engels. This Pablo release features standards like "" and "," where Baker's fragile yet poignant vocals and trumpet lines interact dynamically with the audience, capturing moments of improvisational spontaneity and subtle tempo shifts. European live efforts, including Live in Paris, 1960-63 and Live in Nice, 1975, further illustrate his evolving sound, blending roots with personal introspection amid club atmospheres that encouraged direct audience engagement. Over his career, Baker appeared on approximately 20 live albums, emphasizing the unpolished energy of performances with variable phrasing and responsive solos that contrasted his more controlled studio work. Baker's compilations aggregate his vast output, often curating career-spanning selections that underscore his vocal and instrumental legacy. The 1958 compilation The Best of on Pacific Jazz collects key vocal tracks like "" and "" from his early sessions, highlighting his romantic delivery and aggregating over a dozen standards into a cohesive overview. Posthumous box sets like The Pacific Jazz Years (1994, four CDs) draw from 1952-1957 recordings, including rare live and alternate takes with collaborators such as , encompassing nearly 50 tracks that reveal his formative contributions. Dozens of compilations exist, collectively featuring more than 300 tracks across reissues and thematic collections that preserve his improvisational essence through audience-captured moments and alternate performances. In recent years, Baker's catalog has seen renewed attention through reissues and reinterpretations, such as the 2025 reissue of (1959, ), which includes a remastered mono edition pressed on 180-gram vinyl to highlight original nuances. The 2025 project Chet Baker Re:Imagined further extends his influence, with contemporary artists like and Puma Blue remixing and reworking elements from his repertoire, such as altered takes of "," blending archival material with modern production for a fresh exploration of his standards. In November 2025, the posthumous album Swimming by Moonlight (Slow Down Sounds) was released, containing 15 previously unreleased studio and live tracks from 1986-1987, including collaborations with , offering new insights into his late-period work.

Filmography

Acting Roles

Chet Baker made his acting debut in the 1955 drama Hell's Horizon, directed by , where he portrayed Jockey, a trumpet-playing pilot in a brief but notable role that capitalized on his rising fame and on-screen charisma as a young, handsome musician. The film, produced by Allied Artists Pictures, featured Baker alongside and emphasized tense aerial combat sequences, with his appearance highlighting his potential amid his burgeoning career. During his time in Europe in the late and early , Baker took on a minor part in an Italian film, playing a character that drew on his image as a brooding, enigmatic . His role came in the 1960 musicarello Howlers of the Dock (original title: Urlatori alla sbarra), directed by , where he appeared as l'Americano (also known as Chet), a strung-out musician entangled in the youthful antics of a group of rock 'n' roll enthusiasts in . In the film, Baker's performance included a memorable scene where he kisses a and sings "Arrivederci," blending his real musical talents with a scripted that mirrored his personal struggles with and rebellion. Baker's acting career was limited to these two roles, both of which typecast him as a troubled, good-looking . He also made appearances as himself in other films, such as Stolen Hours (1963) and Nudi per vivere (1963), but these were not parts. Critics praised the natural authenticity he brought to his roles, often noting how his haunted demeanor and physical presence enhanced the "rebel" , though his limited dramatic range was frequently critiqued as relying more on his than versatile technique. These appearances, while secondary to his musical legacy, underscored Baker's brief foray into cinema as an extension of his mystique.

Documentaries

Let's Get Lost (1988), directed by Bruce Weber, is a documentary filmed from 1987 to 1988 that chronicles Chet Baker's tumultuous life and career, emphasizing his battles with heroin addiction and his late-career resurgence. The film interweaves interviews with Baker's family members, ex-wives, musical collaborators, and friends, alongside archival footage from his youthful "Prince of Cool" era in the and candid scenes of his weathered appearance in his . It premiered at the 1989 , where it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize in the Documentary category, and went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature as well as the FIPRESCI Critics' Prize at the . Widely regarded as one of the most intimate portraits of a , Let's Get Lost played a pivotal role in revitalizing Baker's legacy after his death, sparking renewed interest that prompted major reissues of his catalog in the and influencing subsequent tributes to his work. In , the biographical Born to Be Blue, directed by Robert Budreau and starring as Baker, offered a fictionalized yet inspired depiction of the trumpeter's life, focusing on his 1960s romance with actress , his prison stint in for drug possession, and his ongoing struggles with addiction. While not a traditional documentary, the film incorporates real elements from Baker's biography, including his vocal and performances, to evoke the emotional and artistic essence of his experiences. Additional documentary material includes the 2015 Dutch short Chet Baker: The Final Days, directed by Willem Ouwerkerk, which examines Baker's last weeks in Amsterdam through interviews with locals and associates who knew him during his residence there. Archival performance footage from 1980s European jazz festivals, such as Baker's appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival, has been preserved in posthumous compilations and made available on streaming platforms, highlighting his enduring stage presence despite physical decline.

References

  1. [1]
    Born To Be Blue: Chet Baker In 5 Songs - NPR
    Mar 25, 2016 · Chet Baker was a gifted trumpeter and jazz icon. Since Chet Baker's death in 1988, the trumpeter and vocalist's legacy has been widely debated ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  2. [2]
    Chet Baker, Heart and Soul | In The Muse - Library of Congress Blogs
    May 26, 2020 · Heralded as the “most gifted trumpeter” by late saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, Chesney Henry Baker (1929-1988) was a melodic improviser with both his horn and his ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  3. [3]
    Baker, Chet Henry | The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and ...
    BAKER, CHET HENRY (1929–1988). Although born on December 23, 1929, in Yale, Oklahoma, jazz musician Chet Baker moved with his family to California in 1940, ...Missing: name reliable
  4. [4]
    [PDF] “My Funny Valentine”--The Gerry Mulligan Quartet featuring Chet ...
    Chet Baker (1929-1988) was a notorious drug addict and a womanizer. But first of all, he was a trumpeter and a great melodic improviser.
  5. [5]
    Chet Baker: A Conversation in 1977 - All About Jazz
    Jan 13, 2025 · His extracurricular time was consumed by playing in a dance band. Chet joined the army at the age of 16, and was sent to Germany. Although ...
  6. [6]
    Chet Baker, Jazz Trumpeter, Dies at 59 in a Fall - The New York Times
    May 14, 1988 · The trumpeter was born Chesney Baker in Yale, Okla., in December 1929, and his family moved to California in 1940. He started playing ...
  7. [7]
    Chet Baker: The Life And Legacy Of 'The James Dean Of Jazz'
    In 1946, when he was 16, Baker joined the US Army, where he honed his horn skills playing in military bands. On leaving the army, in 1951, he set up camp in ...Missing: sources | Show results with:sources
  8. [8]
    Fought Lifelong Battle With Drugs : Famed Jazz Trumpeter Chet Baker
    May 14, 1988 · Chet Baker ... Baker in Yale, Okla., his family moved to Southern California in 1940 and Baker began studying trumpet at junior high school in ...
  9. [9]
    Chet Baker | The Life & Music of a Jazz Icon
    Feb 5, 2024 · Chesney Henry Baker Jr. was born on 23 December 1929 in Yale, Oklahoma to musical parents, before the family moved to California when Baker was ...
  10. [10]
    Chet Baker - WMKY
    Oct 31, 2014 · He re-enlisted in the army in 1950 and became a member of the Sixth Army Band at the Presidio in San Francisco. But he also began sitting in at ...
  11. [11]
    chet baker biography - Jazz Music
    After his discharge in 1948, he enrolled at El Camino College in Los Angeles ... Baker played initially in Vido Musso's band, and soon after with Stan Getz.
  12. [12]
    JazzProfiles: "THE GERRY MULLIGAN QUARTET 1952–1953"
    May 8, 2025 · The band featured Mulligan on baritone, Tony Fruscella on trumpet, Phil Leshin on bass, and drummer Walter Bolden. Unfortunately, the band never ...
  13. [13]
    Discover Cool Jazz: The Story, the Artists & the Music- Mosaic Records
    Aug 5, 2021 · The pianoless Gerry Mulligan Quartet, which launched the careers of Mulligan, Chet Baker and Chico Hamilton, lasted only one year (June '52-'53) ...
  14. [14]
    Chet Baker Quartet Featuring Russ Freeman - Ch... - AllMusic
    Rating 8.4/10 (11) Chet Baker Quartet Featuring Russ Freeman by Chet Baker, Chet Baker Quartet released in 1997. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and ...
  15. [15]
    Chet Baker Quartet - WMKY
    Oct 19, 2018 · The recording is aptly named, as Baker literally appeared out of nowhere to win the Down Beat Readers' Poll for trumpet in 1953 and again in ...Missing: EP | Show results with:EP
  16. [16]
    Chet Baker Sings: A Classic Cool Jazz Album - Jazzfuel
    Apr 1, 2022 · Chet Baker is one of the all-time greats of the West Coast sound and his 1954 debut vocal album Chet Baker Sings remains a classic jazz record to this day.Missing: sales figures
  17. [17]
    WICN Artist of the Month, December 2023: Chet Baker
    Dec 1, 2023 · A tragically romantic jazz icon “whose lyrical trumpet lines and tender vocals helped define the cool, West Coast sound.”<|control11|><|separator|>
  18. [18]
    Chet Baker: I get Chet (1955-6) Barclay/ Felsted
    Jun 9, 2012 · Late 1955/ early 1956 found Chet Baker recording in Europe: France, Denmark, Italy and West Germany, with a variety of European musicians.Missing: tour Milan
  19. [19]
    Complete Chet Baker In Paris - Jazz Messengers
    3–5 day deliveryThis 3-CD collection presents all of the music originally issued from Chet Baker's studio sessions made for the Barclay label during his first European tour ...Missing: London Milan
  20. [20]
    https://wicn.org/wicn-artist-of-the-month-december-2023-chet-baker/
  21. [21]
    Scenes From the Life of Chet Baker - CounterPunch.org
    Nov 25, 2011 · Chet Baker finally hit New York in May of 1954, fronting his own band, for a month long engagement at Birdland. By all accounts it was a ...Missing: 1950s | Show results with:1950s
  22. [22]
    the Lyrical Trumpet of Chet Baker - Chet - Jazz Messengers
    3–5 day deliveryBILL EVANS, piano. PAUL CHAMBERS, bass. CONNIE KAY, drums. PHILLY JOE JONES, drums (on 4 & 8-9) New York, December 30, 1958 & January 19, 1959. BONUS TRACKS ...
  23. [23]
    Chet Baker Plays The Best Of Lerner And Loewe - Jazz Messengers
    3–5 day deliveryChet Baker Plays The Best of Lerner and Loewe is Chet Baker's 1959 concept album recorded for Riverside Records. ... Bill Evans or Bob Corwin - piano; Earl ...
  24. [24]
    This cool cover of 'Jazz Magazine', featuring Chet Baker, was out in ...
    Aug 3, 2018 · This cool cover of 'Jazz Magazine', featuring Chet Baker, was out in July/August 1955.
  25. [25]
    Chet Baker: An Alternative Top Ten Albums To Get Lost In
    Oct 6, 2020 · After smoking industrial quantities of weed since the late 1940s, he acquired a serious heroin habit in the mid 1950s. The drug dominated his ...
  26. [26]
    Chet Baker: La Voce - by Marc Myers - JazzWax
    Jul 20, 2017 · Baker was convicted of drug smuggling and forgery, and sentenced to a year, seven months and 10 days in a Lucca prison. When Baker was ...
  27. [27]
    Chet Baker's Tale of Woe - DownBeat Archives
    ... Baker toured Iceland, England and the Continent with a quartet. During that period his pianist, Dick Twardzik, died in Paris of an overdose of heroin. Baker ...Missing: 1952 1954 California
  28. [28]
    Chet Baker: The Comeback Revisited - JazzProfiles
    Apr 18, 2015 · Or as Chet explains to Doug: “Believe me, when a trumpet player has had his teeth pulled, it is a comeback.” “Baker says that with the lack ...Missing: injury recovery 1966 Europe
  29. [29]
    Chet Baker: comeback and fadeout | thebluemoment.com
    May 13, 2013 · There's a new copy currently on Amazon for £109 and half a dozen used ones starting at £60, and I'm not entirely surprised by those prices, ...Missing: 1970s mouthpiece
  30. [30]
    Chet Baker Discography
    * Mosaic MR4-122, MD3-122 The Complete Pacific Jazz Studio Recordings Of The Chet Baker Quartet With Russ Freeman 1987 ... Chet Baker In Tokyo - Memories 1988
  31. [31]
    https://jazzprofiles.blogspot.com/2015/04/chet-baker-comeback-revisited.html
  32. [32]
    Chet Baker - The Elvis Costello Wiki
    Jan 19, 2023 · Right: Live At Ronnie Scott's, recorded June 6, 1986, London, includes three songs sung by Elvis Costello. Chet Baker's Broken Wing (1978) ...
  33. [33]
    Chet Baker in Tokyo - Album - AllMusic
    Rating 9.4/10 (55) Chet Baker in Tokyo by Chet Baker released in 1987. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.
  34. [34]
    Chet Baker - Amsterdam - May 13, 1988 - The Last GPS
    Heroin and cocaine were found in his hotel room, and an autopsy also found these drugs in his body. There was no evidence of a struggle, and the death was ruled ...
  35. [35]
    JAZZ - Los Angeles Times
    May 16, 1988 · American jazz trumpet player Chet Baker may have used heroin before plunging to his death Thursday from an Amsterdam hotel window, police said on Sunday.Missing: autopsy cocaine
  36. [36]
    Chet Baker: Remembering the Prince of Cool
    Sep 30, 2022 · The then 58-year-old's bloodstream revealed traces of heroin and cocaine. ... The caption reads: “Trumpet player and singer Chet Baker died here ...
  37. [37]
    Jeroen de Valk, author of Chet Baker: His Life and Music
    Mar 29, 2001 · Important too: obtaining drugs was relatively easy in Amsterdam. JJM In 1987, you conducted an interview with Baker, but only after several ...Missing: tolerant | Show results with:tolerant<|control11|><|separator|>
  38. [38]
    How Chet Baker Really Died - KCRW
    Jan 18, 2012 · It wasn't really clear how Baker met his maker. He fell from an upper hotel balcony in Amsterdam in 1988 and died. Questions come up immediately ...Missing: May 13 autopsy
  39. [39]
    Chet Baker (1929-1988) - Find a Grave Memorial
    Birth: 23 Dec 1929. Yale, Payne County, Oklahoma, USA ; Death: 13 May 1988 (aged 58). Amsterdam, Amsterdam Municipality, Noord-Holland, Netherlands ; Burial.
  40. [40]
    https://www.jerryjazzmusician.com/jeroen-de-valk-author-of-chet-baker-his-life-and-music/
  41. [41]
    [PDF] Chet Baker Materials from the Papers of Diane Vavra
    The Chet Baker Materials from the Papers of Diane Vavra are open to research. ... Sentenced by Italian court to nineteen months in jail for drug-related charges.<|control11|><|separator|>
  42. [42]
    Charlaine Ann Souder Voorhies (1930-1995) - Find a Grave Memorial
    Family Members · Chet Baker. 1929–1988 ( m. 1950) · Richard C. Voorhies. 1928–2011 ...
  43. [43]
    View from the Inside | Chet Baker - chicagojazz.com
    Chesney Henry “Chet” Baker Jr. was an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist and vocalist. Baker is remembered for his seemingly effortless musical talent.
  44. [44]
    Chet Baker - Record Repertoire - Liliums-compendium
    Oct 5, 2022 · Baker performed with Vido Musso and Stan Getz before being chosen by Charlie Parker for a series of West Coast engagements. ... earlier life ...
  45. [45]
    Carol Ann Baker - Obituary - Mannford Funeral Home
    Apr 16, 2025 · In 1964 she married the love of her life, Chet Baker in Italy. Chet, originally from Yale, Oklahoma, was a famous, well-known jazz musician.
  46. [46]
    Carol Baker, Chet Baker's widow - Jerry Jazz Musician
    Jun 22, 1998 · Raised by his wife Carol and separated living in the U.S. It isn't mentioned anywhere. It's a gap in his life story. There is nothing you can ...
  47. [47]
    Hazy Facts About Chet Baker, The Prince Of Cool - Factinate
    Feb 25, 2022 · A few years previous to this, Baker had married Charlaine Souder. In ... When Chet Baker's wife caught him with Cukier—she saw red. Her ...
  48. [48]
    Chet Baker - Biography - IMDb
    on 23 December 1929, in Yale, Oklahoma, Chet Baker was the son of Vera Baker and Chesney H. ... He was survived by his mother Vera, wife Carol and four children.
  49. [49]
    Bruce Guthrie: Remembering Chet Baker - All About Jazz
    Apr 23, 2020 · And through this work I met all of the Baker family (Carol, Melissa, Dean, step-son Chesney Aftab, Paul and his sons Chet and Chad). AAJ ...
  50. [50]
    Chet Baker | Timeless - Library of Congress Blogs
    May 27, 2020 · Legendary jazz trumpeter and vocalist Chesney Henry Baker -- better known as Chet -- died 32 years ago this month in Amsterdam.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  51. [51]
    As Though I Had Wings: The Lost Memoir - Amazon.com
    As Though I Had Wings: The Lost Memoir [Baker, Chet, Baker, Carol] on Amazon ... Chet Baker, poster child for West Coast Cool Jazz and patron saint of ...
  52. [52]
    Chet Baker - "The Musician Magazine Interview" by Jerome Reece
    Mar 21, 2019 · People think l'm some kind of scum, so I just gave up the whole idea. Yeah, we moved out. My kids are grown up now. l don't have to worry about ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  53. [53]
    Chet Baker's Singing: A Cultural Shift article @ All About Jazz
    Mar 23, 2019 · Baker's trumpet playing was not unique. It was distinguishable from but similar to the playing of others active at that time, like Jack ...
  54. [54]
    Jazz Commentary: Chet Baker - The Climax of Cool - The Arts Fuse
    Sep 29, 2018 · It's difficult to talk about Baker's influence because he didn't overtly inspire a generation of male singers. Most tenor-range jazz vocalists ...
  55. [55]
    'Chet Baker Sings': How The Cool Jazz Trumpeter Found His Voice
    Revealing his unique vocal style, 'Chet Baker Sings' transformed the poster boy of West Coast cool jazz into a bona fide pop idol.
  56. [56]
    Chet Baker- Read it on Vialma - Jazz
    Baker grew up in California, and after a stint in the army, he began his career as a professional musician performing in San Francisco. He got his first big ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  57. [57]
    Songs originally by Chet Baker | SecondHandSongs
    ... songs. Chet Baker originally did Motel, You and the Night and the Music, Seven Steps to Heaven, Arborway and other songs. Chet Baker wrote Freeway.
  58. [58]
    https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/chet-baker-sings-album/
  59. [59]
    https://www.vialma.com/en/jazz/articles/331/Chet-Baker-en
  60. [60]
    PLAYBOY POLLS | playboyjazzfestival
    The Playboy Jazz All-stars (2CDs) - Winners of the 1st Playboy Jazz Poll (1957) ... 02 - Chet Baker - Sonny Boy (5m 13s). 03 - Benny Goodman - The King And Me ...
  61. [61]
    Don Sebesky Discography
    Chet Baker , She Was Too Good To Me, You Can't Go Home Again ...many more ... (GRAMMY nomination) Moving Lines , Doctor Jazz. (GRAMMY nomination) Three ...<|separator|>
  62. [62]
    https://www.downbeat.com/archives/detail/chet-bakers-tale-woe
  63. [63]
    The West Coast Jazz Revival | Ted Gioia, City Journal
    Dec 31, 2018 · In 1951, he hitchhiked to Los Angeles, launching a partnership there with trumpeter Chet Baker that turned both of them into jazz luminaries.
  64. [64]
    [PDF] Sing Sing
    ... chet baker collection C881*prince of cool C882-3-. 4*+ PAUL DESMOND-together ... paolo fresu:shades of chet. E1667*duo en noir E1668. - ENRICO RUGGERI ...
  65. [65]
    http://davesmusicdatabase.blogspot.com/2013/01/big-band-and-jazz-hall-of-fame.html
  66. [66]
    Chet Baker's Bittersweet Life in Music | Everything Jazz
    Oct 8, 2024 · In his 1950s heyday, Chet Baker was both heartthrob and hero, venerated for his talents as a trumpeter and singer, and an innovator of cool jazz ...
  67. [67]
    Chet Baker's Legacy Celebrated With New Re:Imagined Collection
    Nov 29, 2024 · Jazz icon Chet Baker's legacy is celebrated by a new tribute album 'Chet Baker Re:Imagined' set for release by Decca on April 11, 2025.Missing: October | Show results with:October
  68. [68]
    Chet Baker - Almost Blue +2 - Record Store Day
    This 12" 45rpm is a teaser for a double LP set coming in May 2025, featuring several never heard songs, and all-never-before-heard performances.
  69. [69]
    http://www.singsing.org/prive/pdf/audio_ar.pdf
  70. [70]
    ▷ Albums Of Chet Baker - Jazzmessengers
    One of his most famous songs is “But Not For Me” from his first solo album “Chet Baker Sings,” still recognized as a reference in jazz today.Missing: wrote | Show results with:wrote
  71. [71]
    Bluesville, Vol. 2: Electric Blues - Various A... | AllMusic
    **Summary of Chet Baker Sings (https://www.allmusic.com/album/chet-baker-sings-mw0000653839):**
  72. [72]
    Chet Baker | Album - AllMusic
    Rating 9.2/10 (356) Alone Together · How High The Moon · It Never Entered My Mind · Tis Autumn · If You Could See Me Now · September Song · You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To · Time On My ...Missing: compositions | Show results with:compositions
  73. [73]
    Chet Baker's The Legendary Riverside Albums - Concord
    Baker's final album for Riverside, 1959's Chet Baker Plays The Best Of Lerner And Loewe,finds the trumpeter offering his renditions of tunes by lyricist Alan ...<|separator|>
  74. [74]
    Chet Baker Chet Is Back! (RCA 1962) - FLOPHOUSE | magazine
    Apr 11, 2022 · He recorded Chet Is Back in January 1962, arguably the finest of his bop and hard bop albums, quite amazing considering his circumstances.Missing: dental | Show results with:dental
  75. [75]
    Chet Baker Discography - Download Albums in Hi-Res - Qobuz
    Other notable albums released during this period are 1977's Once Upon a Summertime, 1977's Don Sebesky-produced You Can't Go Home Again ... Prestige. Hot Club ...
  76. [76]
    Chet Baker - The Elvis Costello Wiki
    Jan 19, 2023 · Right: Live At Ronnie Scott's, recorded June 6, 1986, London, includes three songs sung by Elvis Costello. Chet Baker's Broken Wing (1978) ...
  77. [77]
    Chet Baker Sings: It Could Happen to You (Original Jazz Classics ...
    While My Lady Sleeps (take 10). 12, You Make Me Feel So Young (take 5). 13, Everything Happens to Me (alternate). 14, The More I See You (take 8, alternate) ...Missing: 1990s | Show results with:1990s
  78. [78]
    Chet Baker - Pacific Jazz Recordings - Re-issues - organissimo forums
    Dec 3, 2007 · Mickey's Memory [Alternate Take]. Going from memory, methinks the old Route CD plus Young Chet contained all of that music. What happened ...
  79. [79]
    Chet Baker Catalog - album index - Jazz Discography Project
    Chet Baker - The Legacy Enja (G) ENJ-9021 2 1995. 1988 (aged 58). Jan Erik Vold, Chet Baker - Blamann! Blamann! Hot Club (F) HCRCD 50; Chet Baker, Enrico ...
  80. [80]
    http://flophousemagazine.com/2022/04/11/chet-baker-chet-is-back-rca-1962/
  81. [81]
    https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/interpreter/chet-baker-5/462118
  82. [82]
    https://www.amazon.com/Chet-Baker-Sings-Original-Remasters/dp/B003YOMNGI
  83. [83]
    https://www.organissimo.org/forum/topic/37519-chet-baker-pacific-jazz-recordings/
  84. [84]
    https://www.jazzdisco.org/chet-baker/catalog/album-index/
  85. [85]
    Chet Baker: Last Great Concert On A Monday - All About Jazz
    Apr 1, 2025 · In a career that lasted an odds-defying four decades, trumpeter and vocalist Chet Baker's signature sound was captured on around 20 live albums.
  86. [86]
    https://www.discogs.com/release/3844495-The-Chet-Baker-Quartet-With-Russ-Freeman-The-Complete-Pacific-Jazz-Live-Recordings-Of-The-Chet-Baker
  87. [87]
    Chet Baker: The Pacific Jazz Years - AllMusic
    Rating 9.1/10 (8) Release Date: March 22, 1994. Duration: 03:46:24. Genre: Jazz. Styles: Cool, West Coast Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Trumpet Jazz.
  88. [88]
    https://www.discogs.com/master/2272795-Chet-Baker-Chet-Baker-Live-In-Tokyo
  89. [89]
    Chet Baker - SpecialRelease | RECORD STORE DAY
    Reissue of the rare MONO version of Chet Baker's classic 1958 album on Riverside Records. Cut from the analog master, pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI and ...
  90. [90]
    https://www.allaboutjazz.com/chet-baker-last-great-concert-on-a-monday-chet-baker-magic-muffin-records
  91. [91]
    Various: Chet Baker Re:imagined review – new reworkings by R&B ...
    Apr 5, 2025 · 15 R&B, pop, soul and jazz artists have been given the unenviable task of interpreting Baker's repertoire – with often surprising results.
  92. [92]
    Hell's Horizon (1955) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Hell's Horizon (1955) - Cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses ... Chet Baker at a recording session, Los Angeles, CA, 1954. Chet Baker.
  93. [93]
    Howlers of the Dock (1960) - IMDb
    Rating 5.8/10 (163) Follows the adventures of a group of friends, teddy boys and rock and roll chicks whose crazy, fun-loving habits inspire jiving from some of Rome's citizens.
  94. [94]
    Amarcord Records - Chet Baker in Italy
    (the movie was named again in 1962 as "Metti, Celentano e Mina...") Release date: unreleased. Recording date: 1959, September-October Recording place: Rome, ...
  95. [95]
    Arrivederci | Jazz on the Tube
    The 30-year old Chet Baker had a small role in the 1960 Italian film Uriatori Alla Sbarra (Howlers Of The Dock). In this scene, Baker kisses a girl, sings the ...Missing: acting films
  96. [96]
    Chet Baker: Italian Movies - by Marc Myers - JazzWax
    Feb 4, 2015 · During his time in Italy, Baker worked for the Italian cinema as a musician and actor. Much of his film work is captured on a three-CD set ...
  97. [97]
    Let's Get Lost (1988) - IMDb
    Rating 7.7/10 (2,517) Documentary on the life of jazz trumpeter and drug addict Chet Baker. Fascinating series of interviews with friends, family, associates and lovers.Missing: cancellation tours<|control11|><|separator|>
  98. [98]
    Let's Get Lost - The Criterion Channel
    This haunting portrait of jazz trumpeter Chet Baker contrasts archival footage of the musician as an impossibly beautiful icon of cool in the 1950s.Missing: Sundance Jury
  99. [99]
    All the awards and nominations of Let's Get Lost - Filmaffinity
    61th Academy Awards (1989) - Movies from 1988. nom. Best Documentary Feature · Sundance Film Festival 1989 - Official Selection. nom. Grand Jury Prize - ...
  100. [100]
    Awards - Let's Get Lost (1988) - IMDb
    Chet Baker in Let's Get Lost (1988). 1989 Nominee NYFCC Award. Best Documentary. 2nd place · Jeff Preiss · 1989 Nominee NYFCC Award. Best Cinematographer. Jeff ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
  101. [101]
    10 of the Best Jazz Documentaries in History - Jazzfuel
    Jun 20, 2024 · Let's Get Lost (1988) ... Let's Get Lost emphasises the stark contrast between the photogenic beauty of Chet Baker's early life – wonderfully ...
  102. [102]
    BORN TO BE BLUE: THE RISE AND FALL OF CHET BAKER
    Jan 16, 2018 · On May 13, 1988, after weeks of performing with the NDR Big Band and Hannover Radio Orchestra, Baker was found dead on the street below his ...Missing: reliable | Show results with:reliable<|separator|>
  103. [103]
    Born to Be Blue (2015) - IMDb
    Rating 6.8/10 (9,659) Ethan Hawke stars in this beautifully acted portrayal of jazz trumpeter and singer Chet Baker during his prime. Know that the film treats the facts of ...Missing: gladiator | Show results with:gladiator
  104. [104]
    Born to Be Blue | Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 88% (119) Born to Be Blue benefits from a highlight-reel performance from Ethan Hawke and an impressionistic, non-hagiographic approach to Chet Baker's life and times.
  105. [105]
    'Born To Be Blue' Finds Truth In Inventive Riffs - NPR
    Mar 24, 2016 · As Baker pulls every string to book his damaged goods in a studio session, followed by a comeback performance at influential New York jazz club ...
  106. [106]
    Jazz Docu - Chet Baker - The Final Days - YouTube
    Dec 23, 2017 · Dutch documentary on Chet Baker's final days in Amsterdam directed by Willem Ouwerkerk. ........................................ Interviews ...<|control11|><|separator|>