This 1953-1956 compilation represents Chet Baker's early days recording in Los Angeles.
The appellation "cool" has been ascribed to Baker because of his often understated, contemplative approach to jazz, but on THE BEST OF CHET BAKER PLAYS we hear a trumpeter who defies any such categorization.
Just as Miles Davis' BIRTH OF THE COOL is canted more towards bebop than the atmospheric, textural and reflective attributes so often associated with cool jazz, ...CHET BAKER PLAYS is more about tightly arranged, uptempo burning than midtempo cool.
Of course, Baker's introspective ballad playing is also featured on tracks such as "Moonlight Becomes You" and "Darn that Dream." Overall, however, what makes Baker's conception so unique in his early years, is the light, yet crisp, feel he and his band mates employ.
Whether playing bebop or cool, his approach is consistent and, most of all, innovative.
In short, THE BEST OF CHET BAKER PLAYS shows Baker's adaptability as well as his versatility.
| Title/Composers | Performer | Listen | Time | Size | Size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carson City StageCarson Smith | Chet Baker | Play | 02:38 | 6 MB | 11 MB |
| 2 | ImaginationJohnny Burke, James Van Heusen | Chet Baker | Play | 03:02 | 6 MB | 11 MB |
| 3 | All the Things You AreOscar Hammerstein II, Jerome Kern | Chet Baker | Play | 02:56 | 6 MB | 13 MB |
| 4 | Bea's FlatRuss Freeman | Chet Baker | Play | 03:00 | 6 MB | 13 MB |
| 5 | Happy Little SunbeamRuss Freeman | Chet Baker | Play | 02:43 | 6 MB | 12 MB |
| 6 | Pro DefunctusJack Montrose | Chet Baker | Play | 03:28 | 7 MB | 14 MB |
| 7 | Moonlight Becomes YouJohnny Burke, James Van Heusen | Chet Baker | Play | 03:26 | 7 MB | 12 MB |
| 8 | Stella by StarlightNed Washington, Victor Young | Chet Baker | Play | 03:56 | 9 MB | 15 MB |
| 9 | Darn That DreamEddie DeLange, James Van Heusen | Chet Baker | Play | 03:30 | 8 MB | 13 MB |
| 10 | Sweet LorraineClifford R. Burwell, Mitchell Parish | Chet Baker | Play | 03:11 | 7 MB | 15 MB |
| 11 | Minor YoursArt Pepper | Chet Baker | Play | 07:15 | 16 MB | 43 MB |
| 12 | C.T.A.Jimmy Heath | Chet Baker | Play | 05:12 | 11 MB | 29 MB |
| 13 | To Mickey's MemoryHarvey Leonard | Chet Baker | Play | 05:16 | 12 MB | 31 MB |
| 14 | Jumpin' Off a ClefAl Haig | Chet Baker | Play | 04:56 | 11 MB | 32 MB |
| 54 mins | 124 MB | |||||
| 54 mins | 271 MB | |||||
| Artist | Job | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malcolm Addey | Digital Transfers |
| 2 | Chet Baker | Primary Artist, Trumpet |
| 3 | Richard Bock | Producer |
| 4 | Jimmy Bond | Bass |
| 5 | Bob Brookmeyer | Guest Artist, Trombone |
| 6 | Larry Bunker | Drums |
| 7 | Johnny Burke | Composer |
| 8 | Clifford R. Burwell | Composer |
| 9 | Franko Caligiuri | Design |
| 10 | Conte Candoli | Trumpet |
| 11 | William Claxton | Photography |
| 12 | Curtis Counce | Bass |
| 13 | Michael Cuscuna | Compilation Producer, Producer |
| 14 | Eddie DeLange | Composer |
| 15 | Norman Faye | Trumpet |
| 16 | Russ Freeman | Composer, Guest Artist, Piano |
| 17 | Herb Geller | Guest Artist, Sax (Alto) |
| 18 | Bob Gordon | Sax (Baritone) |
| 19 | Al Haig | Composer |
| 20 | Oscar Hammerstein II | Composer |
| 21 | Jimmy Heath | Arranger, Composer |
| 22 | James Van Heusen | Composer |
| 23 | Pete Jolly | Piano, Saxophone |
| 24 | Richie Kamuca | Sax (Tenor) |
| 25 | Jerome Kern | Composer |
| 26 | Harvey Leonard | Composer |
| 27 | Stan Levey | Drums |
| 28 | Peter Littman | Drums |
| 29 | Bill Loughbrough | Chromatic Tympani, Timpani |
| 30 | Shelly Manne | Drums, Guest Artist |
| 31 | Joe Mondragon | Bass |
| 32 | Jack Montrose | Arranger, Composer, Sax (Tenor) |
| 33 | Mitchell Parish | Composer |
| 34 | Art Pepper | Composer, Guest Artist, Saxophone |
| 35 | Bill Perkins | Saxophone |
| 36 | Carl Perkins | Piano |
| 37 | Frank Rosolino | Trombone |
| 38 | Bud Shank | Guest Artist, Sax (Baritone), Saxophone |
| 39 | Carson Smith | Bass, Composer |
| 40 | Bobby Timmons | Guest Artist, Piano |
| 41 | Phil Urso | Saxophone |
| 42 | Leroy Vinnegar | Bass, Guest Artist |
| 43 | Ned Washington | Composer |
| 44 | Victor Young | Composer |
| Quality | Format | Encoding | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | MP3 | 320kps 44.1kHz | MP3 is an audio coding format which uses a form of lossy data compression. The highest bitrate of this format is 320kbps (kbit/s). MP3 Digital audio takes less amount of space (up to 90% reduction in size) and the quality is not as good as the original one. |
| CD Quality | FLAC | 16bit 44.1kHz | FLAC is an audio coding format which uses lossless compression. Digital audio in FLAC format has a smaller size and retains the same quality of the original Compact Disc (CD). |