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— The Analog Vault // Essential Listening —

Although Chet Baker became known for his singing just as much as his trumpet playing by the late 1950s, his penultimate session for Riverside is exclusively dedicated to his peerless eloquence on the horn. Sometimes subtitled as The Lyrical Trumpet of Chet Baker, this 1959 record is exactly that - a warm, soft and romantic collection of ballads (ranging from hard bop to cool jazz) that were exquisitely minimalist yet especially evocative. 

Backed by pianist Bill Evans, who was at the peak of his powers, alongside Pepper Adams on baritone sax, Paul Chambers on bass, Connie Kay on drums, Herbie Mann on flute, and Kenny Burrell on guitar - Chet was a beautifully subdued and sonically poignant showcase for himself and his superb ensemble. — The Analog Vault

Chet Baker's penultimate session for Riverside - which was strictly instrumental - produced an all-star lineup to support him, including jazz heavyweights Pepper Adams, Bill Evans, and Kenny Burrell. Each of them makes important contributions to the session. Adams' baritone sax solo on "Alone Together" is one of the album's high points, while Herbie Mann and Bill Evans make their presence known on several cuts. Baker possessed one of the most melodious trumpets in jazz, compelling in its simplicity.

Rarely extending his range above a single octave, he nonetheless had few peers when it came to slow, romantic ballads, which make up the playlist here. His characteristically soft approach is heard to good effect on "It Never Entered My Mind," where he works with the guitar of Kenny Burrell. Burrell and Baker also collaborate on a moving rendition of "September Song." Chet is a good place to hear Baker's special way with the horn, and is made even more attractive with the presence and contributions of top jazz artists. — (via AllMusic)

Chet is an album by jazz trumpeter Chet Baker first released in 1959. The record is sometimes subtitled The Lyrical Trumpet of Chet Baker. Chet features performances by Baker with flautist Herbie Mann, saxophonist Pepper Adams, pianist Bill Evans, guitarist Kenny Burrell, bassist Paul Chambers, and either Connie Kay or Philly Joe Jones on drums. It was recorded in December 1958 and January 1959 and released on the Riverside Recordings label. Though Baker was by the late 1950s known as much for his singing as his trumpet playing, this album is entirely instrumental. It contains 9 standard ballads played in the styles of hard bop to cool jazz. The album is entirely devoted to explorations of the ballad mood, it includes considerable variety. — (via Label)
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180-gram vinyl pressed at RTI
Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio from the original master tape

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Label: Riverside Records, Craft Recordings
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, 180g
Reissued: 2021 / Original: 1959)
Genre: Jazz
Style: Trumpet, Bop, Cool Jazz

File under: Jazz // Audiophile Jazz

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