Albums: Chet Baker Quartet with Russ Freeman (1998)

Chet Baker Quartet with Russ Freeman (1998)

Album review ~allmusic.com
Chet Baker Quartet Featuring Russ Freeman (1998) is a perfect studio companion to the Mosaic Records set Complete Pacific Jazz Live Recordings of Chet Baker With Russ Freeman (1988). As was the custom for jazz platters of the time, both Baker and Freeman are joined by a different combo on each date. The luminaries include Bobby Whitlock (bass), Joe Mondragon (bass), Bobby White (bass), Larry Bunker (drums) and Shelly Manne (drums) from sessions held circa July and October of 1953.

The 25 selections here provide copious evidence of Baker's uncanny artistry as he develops a dark, yet lyrical, interpretive approach. Immediately evident is the thoughtful synergy between Baker and the comparatively understated Freeman, whose comps help link the respective solos. In several notable instances, such as the nonchalant "Isn't It Romantic" or the limber syncopation of "Maid in Mexico," Freeman establishes the melody, rather than simply being relegated to the rhythm section. Additional diverse examples can be heard ranging from a sublime reading of "Imagination" to the upbeat and agile "All the Things You Are" -- which commences in progress. These tunes would seed Baker's back catalog of material, becoming staples during his 30-plus-year repertoire.

DVD's » Chet Baker - Live at Ronnie Scott's (1986)

Chet Baker - Live at Ronnie Scott's (1986)

Chet Baker performing with Elvis Costello and Van Morrison


Product Details:
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
Language: English
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number of Discs: 1
Studio: Rhino / Wea
DVD Release Date: April 24, 2001
Run Time: 58 minutes


A customer review ~amazon (November 8, 1999)
Rare video record of jazz legend: The production quality of this obscure taping of a jazz legend's performance is remarkable. Even the interview of Chet is well-done. Several observations: The audience obviously came to hear these "marquee" performers and not Chet. Notice the applause levels. I imagine most of them had no idea who Chet Baker. But for a thirty-plus-year fan of Chet Baker this video was certainly a bargain. What a unique and wonderful musician. He is certainly on par with Armstrong, Gillespie and Davis.

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Interview: Chet Baker / Les Tomkins, 1979 (~jazzprofessional.com)

A Les Tomkins interview of 1979,


When naming favourites, a personal choice in jazz trumpet for me has long been Chet Baker. Whether or not he was influenced by Bix, by Miles or by anybody else does not concern me; the fact is: the expressiveness, the sound, the individuality that Chet had were qualities that registered positively on my susceptibilities at all times. In the ‘seventies I rejoiced that both he and Art Pepper had returned from the abyss in which Parker and others had perished. As with Art, my great sadness at Chet’s tragic death in May is tempered by thankfulness that, for a further span of years, he was able to set down another volume of marvellous music.My meeting with Chet at the Roundhouse in March 1979 caused me to wish I had known him sooner. It was a warm, relaxed conversation, and beforehand I had been impressed by his affability when faced with a national press writer who seemed only to want to discuss his private life. ~Les Tomkins

Album: Stan Getz Quartet with Chet Baker – Quintessence, volume II

Stan Getz Quartet with Chet Baker – Quintessence, volume II

Album review ~allmusic.com
It’s regrettable that Stan Getz and Chet Baker disliked one another personally, for they had so much in common musically. Both came out of jazz’s Cool School, had delightful tones, favored subtlety and restraint, and both could be incredibly lyrical — no jazzman has played ballads more beautifully than Getz or Baker. Recorded live in Norway in 1983 but not released commercially until 2000, Quintessence, Vol. 2 offers a rare chance to hear them co-leading a quintet.