Chet Baker
Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker Jr. (December 23, 1929 – May 13, 1988) was an American jazz trumpeter and vocalist renowned for his contributions to the cool jazz movement, earning him the nickname "Prince of Cool." Born in Yale, Oklahoma, and raised in California from the age of 10, Baker began playing the trumpet in his school band and later performed in U.S. Army bands during two stints as a soldier from 1946 to 1948 and 1950 to 1952.
In the early 1950s, Baker gained attention in the San Francisco jazz scene, notably playing alongside Charlie Parker. His breakthrough came in 1952 as a member of Gerry Mulligan’s pianoless quartet, where his cool-toned, subdued trumpet playing on tracks like “Walkin’ Shoes,” “Bernie’s Tune,” and “My Funny Valentine” established him as a major force in jazz. By 1953, he was recognized as the top trumpeter by Metronome magazine and formed his own quartet. Baker also gained acclaim as a vocalist, known for his vibratoless, somewhat feminine-sounding tenor voice, exemplified in his 1954 recording of “Let’s Get Lost.”
Despite his musical success, Baker's life was marred by heroin addiction, which led to numerous legal issues, including arrests and imprisonment. His playing suffered during the 1960s, but he made a comeback in the 1970s with the help of methadone. Although his singing voice became more ragged, many critics considered his trumpet playing during his final decade to be at its peak. Baker's career was prolific from 1977 until his death in 1988, when he fell from a hotel window in Amsterdam. His legacy was further cemented by the release of Bruce Weber’s documentary "Let’s Get Lost" and his unfinished memoirs, "As Though I Had Wings."
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