Chet Baker – Chet (180g Vinyl LP by Craft)

180g Vinyl LP Reissue Cut from the Original Analog Masters by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio

Though Baker was by the late 1950s known as much for his singing as his trumpet playing, 1959’s Chet (subtitled The Lyrical Trumpet of Chet Baker) is an entirely instrumental affair featuring nine standard ballads played in the styles of hard bop to cool jazz. Flanked by an all-star cast that includes pianist Bill Evans, guitarist Kenny Burrell, flutist Herbie Mann and Pepper Adams on the baritone saxophone, Baker absolutely shines throughout in his languid and tuneful approach to tracks like “Alone Together,” “It Never Entered My Mind” and “September Song.” All About Jazz called the album, “A session that allows the trumpeter to take his introspective time, encouraged by Evans’ spare accompaniment to transform these standards into vibrant, impressionistic etchings.”

Musicians:
Chet Baker, trumpet
Bill Evans, piano
Kenny Burrell, guitar
Pepper Adams, baritone saxophone
Herbie Mann, flute
Paul Chambers, bass
Philly Joe Jones / Connie Kay, drums

1. Alone Together
2. How High the Moon
3. It Never Entered My Mind
4. ‘Tis Autumn
5. If You Could See Me Now
6. September Song
7. You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To
8. Time on My Hands
9. You and the Night and the Music