myspace music

Chet Baker
Jazz



INGLEWOOD, California
United States

Profile Views:  349270




Last Login:  7/7/2009
View My: Pics | Videos | Playlists

   Contacting Chet Baker

 MySpace URL: 

   Chet Baker: General Info
Member Since10/27/2005
Band Members
InfluencesMiles Davis
Record LabelUnknown Major
Type of LabelMajor


Get Flash now!

In order to listen or view this content you will have to upgrade your version of Flash.


Chet Baker's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

[View All Blog Entries]

   About Chet Baker
MySpace Maps
Visit Our Sponsor


Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker Jr. (December 23, 1929 in Yale, Oklahoma May 13, 1988 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands) was an American jazz musician. Raised in a musical household in Oklahoma (his father was a guitar player), and coming of age in Southern California during the bebop era of jazz, Baker found success as a trumpet player in 1951 when he was chosen by Charlie Parker to play with him for a series of West Coast engagements. In 1952, Baker joined the Gerry Mulligan Quartet, which was an instant phenomenon. Baker became famous on the strength of his solo on their recording of "My Funny Valentine", a piece he was later said to "own". The Quartet, however, lasted less than a year because of Mulligan's arrest on drug charges. In 1954, Baker won the Downbeat Jazz Poll, beating Miles Davis among others. Over the next few years, Baker fronted his own combo, playing trumpet and singing. He became an icon of the west coast "cool school" of jazz, helped by his good looks and singing talent. By the early 1960s, Baker had begun playing the fluegelhorn, as well. Then, drug addiction caught up with Baker, and his promising musical career declined as a result. Heroin addiction created a myriad of legal problems for him as well; he served more than a year in prison in Italy, and was later expelled from both West Germany and England for drug-related offenses. Baker was eventually deported from West Germany to the United States after running afoul of the law there a second time. He settled in Milpitas in northern California where he was active in San Jose and San Francisco between short jail terms served for writing his own prescriptions. In 1966, Baker allegedly was severely beaten while attempting to buy drugs after a gig in San Francisco. Accounts of the incident vary, largely because of his lack of reliable testimony on the matter. It has also been suggested that the story is a fabrication altogether, and that Baker's teeth had just rotted due to heavy substance abuse. Anyhow, Baker was left without front teeth which meant that he had to learn to play with dentures, a difficult process for a brass player. Between 1966 and 1974, Baker mostly played flugelhorn and recorded what must be considered slick mood music. He eventually moved to New York City and began recording again in earnest with other well known jazz musicians such as Jim Hall. Later in the seventies, Baker returned to Europe where he was assisted by his friend Diane Vavra who took care of his personal needs and otherwise helped him during his recording and performance dates. Baker recorded extensively throughout his career, mainly because of his overwhelming need for money to buy drugs. As a result, his discography is considered widely uneven. However, some of Baker's European recordings, made near the end of his career, reveal a more mature and, at times, brilliant talent with simplicity and depth beyond his previous work. Near the end of Baker's life, he resided and played almost exclusively in Europe, returning to the USA about once a year for a few performance dates. On May 13, 1988, he fell (or was pushed) from his second story hotel window in Amsterdam and died. There was speculation that he was under the influence of drugs at the time, however his autopsy revealed that he was sober. There were also rumors that a suicide note was found but is held in private hands. A plaquette outside the Prins Hendrik Hotel memorializes him. Baker's body was brought home for interment in the Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California. Jeroen de Valk wrote a biography of Chet Baker, "Chet Baker: His Life and Music". The iconic side of Chet Baker was captured by the photographer William Claxton in his book Young Chet: The Young Chet Baker. A documentary film about his career, Let's Get Lost (film), also portrayed Chet as a cultural icon of the 1950s, but juxtaposed this with his later image as a drug abuser. The film, released in 1988 and directed by fashion photographer Bruce Weber, was shot in black-and-white, and includes a series of interviews with friends, family, associates and lovers, interspersed with film from Baker's earlier life, and with interviews with Baker from his last years. In 2005 Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry and the Oklahoma House of Representatives proclaimed July 2, 2005 as Chet Baker Day.

   Chet Baker's Friend Space (Top 21)
Chet Baker has 23784 friends.
 Steve 


 HannaH 


 meagan 


 Maude 


 ♥ K a i t ☮ 


 Nicole Madison 


 ★☆░░JeNniFeR░░☆★ 


 [[♥ JESSE ♥]] 


 AVF 


 Britt Ania 


 Eryn 


 Artie Shaw 


 Nat Alhister 


 Laura Rispoli 


 lizzie 


 stef'anie 


 Jasmina 


 A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages 


 Maeva 


 Jennifleur 


 Gage 





Chet Baker's Friends Comments
Displaying 25 of 2902 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Impulsive art

Impulsive art



Dec 24 2009 8:24 PM

Atmogat's "Trigger Event" is finally available, delivering some of the best
futuristic electronics and atmospheres; enclosed in a beautiful Digipack CD designed by FKSD .

Remixes included by
Access to Arasaka and NIKKA

Xmas Offers : Due to christmas holidays we are making a 30% discount for all our releases. ALSO, the special offer of a bonus V/A: "THESIS"CD for any Trigger Event order , will be continue until the 20th of January !!

.................

http://www.impulart.com
http://www.atmogat.de
http://www.fksd-design.de

http://www.accesstoarasaka.com
http://www.bionikka.com
Igor Fomi

Igor Fomi



Dec 24 2009 3:52 PM

I added a new track on my page...
I'd like you to listen to it and write me your opinion with a comment :)

Bye and merry Christmas
Igor Fomi

Igor Fomi



Dec 24 2009 2:48 PM

I added a new track on my page...
I'd like you to listen to it and write me your opinion with a comment

Bye and merry Christmas
Kozo(中澤幸三)

Kozo(中澤幸三)



Dec 23 2009 11:16 PM

Thank you for adding me to your list of friends.
I'm grad to be able to watch rare his movies.
Thankyou so much.

Wish you and your family a Merry Christmas,
and have a peaceful happy new year!

greetings from Japan
kozo
魔子(MAKO)

魔子(MAKO)



Dec 23 2009 11:14 PM

I send season's greeting on this Happy Holidays.<br /> I heartily send all good wishes for holidays to your family.
Wendy Jans

Wendy Jans



Dec 22 2009 2:34 PM

Merry Christmas!! Stop by my page to get "In the Mood" - check out my Christmas song and video featuring Millie the Wonder Dog.
Cheryl ♥

Cheryl Lavinia Cole



Dec 22 2009 12:48 PM

Thanks for the Add Chet
Love and Appreciation
Cheryl
Kengo (KILLER SIZED WHALE)

Kengo (KILLER SIZED WHALE)



Dec 22 2009 3:42 AM

Merry Christmas!

~kengo in Japan
TÓ BRAVO

TÓ BRAVO



Dec 22 2009 12:23 AM

I WISH YOU MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Peace, Tó Bravo.
Philippe

Philippe Lacroix



Dec 19 2009 9:53 PM

THNAKS FOR THE ADD
Jazz Break

Jazz Break



Dec 19 2009 9:46 PM



*


Just a reminder to use our "Comments"
section to promote your music as often
as you like ... that's what it's for.

Also, send all of your My Space jazz friends
to myspace.com/jazz_break so that we can
promote their music too.





*
Cenin von Catlien

Burcu Çorbacı



Dec 19 2009 12:07 PM

http://turkishpunk.blogspot.com/
GoDFaMily

GoDFaMily



Dec 18 2009 1:41 PM

Hi, Thanks For The Friendship And The Support, It Means A Lot!!!




Please Enjoy My Music!!!









【GOD from GoDFaMily】
Jazz Break

Jazz Break



Dec 18 2009 1:20 AM



*


Just a reminder to use our "Comments"
section to promote your music as often
as you like ... that's what it's for.

Also, send all of your My Space jazz friends
to myspace.com/jazz_break so that we can
promote their music too.





*
BACKDOOR MANNA

BACKDOOR MANNA



Dec 17 2009 11:28 PM

THANKS FOR BEING
FRIENDS!
BLESSINGS,
Y'ALL!
KEI KUNIHIRO

KEI KUNIHIRO



Dec 17 2009 2:50 AM

thanks for add.
you are my favorite male vocalist of all time.
movie lets get lost was awesome.
i miss you a lot.
someday i wanna cover your song.
respect.
k666.
billy

billy perez



Dec 16 2009 8:06 PM

Check out my profile And Let me know Do you like me YES or NO http://www.doulike.us/photos/4247364.html?b=4&w=46
Ronald was here

Ronald was here



Dec 16 2009 6:37 PM

I love your music. Gets me down. Hope you do well in heaven...
Luis Hernandes

Luis Hernandes



Dec 16 2009 3:16 PM

wish to you a good Christmas holidays in good harmony.
Keep good music alive
Luis Hr


Mr. M’s Jazz Club

Mr. M’s Jazz Club



Dec 15 2009 3:52 AM

Thanks for the Add !!
John Carpenter

John Carpenter



Dec 14 2009 10:47 PM

best wishes, john carpenter ...new album soon.. four new songs on the player... enjoy

Alan McGee on – John Carpenter

http://www.pepsimaxcast.com/category/artist/alan-mcgee
KEITH

Keith Fellows



Dec 14 2009 1:29 PM

THANX FOR BEING FRIENDS- Merry Xmas & Happy New Year!<
Makka

Makka Tamás



Dec 14 2009 10:53 AM

Check out my profile And Let me know Do you like me YES or NO http://www.doulike.us/photos/3424547.html?b=4&w=46
Tucson Jazz Society

Tucson Jazz Society



Dec 13 2009 8:38 PM

THE TUCSON JAZZ SOCIETY IS GEARING UP FOR THE ANNUAL SELL OUT NEW YEAR'S EVE JAZZ PARTY OF THE YEAR! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR THIS VERY SPECIAL CELEBRATION! *********************************************************************
NYE Jazz All-Stars Gala 2009
*********************************************************************


Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 7:00 pm******

JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa,
3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd.
*********************************************************************

Plans are proceeding smoothly for another outstanding, international New Year’s Eve Gala. To date, the Tucson Jazz Society has confirmed an extraordinary, Grammy nominated line-up to ring in the new year!

Brian Bromberg, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, David Benoit, Philippe Saisse, Chuck Loeb and Will Kennedy will join forces to make this an unforgettable celebration! Getting the party started will be the very talented and popular "Triple Threat Divas"–Julie Anne, Crystal Stark and Katherine Byrnes. Backing them will be Tucson'a own jazz icons Jeff Haskell, Pete Swan, Jack Wood, Rick Peron and Matt Mitchell.

Buy your tickets early for prime seat selection, and get ready to join us for a very special evening of dining, dancing and unparalleled musical excellence! Many more exciting plans are in the works to make this a weekend to remember.

*We're hoping to hear a sneak peek from Rick Braun's "Chet Baker Project" at this event!

Cheers!
Britney Spears

Britney Spears



Dec 13 2009 2:03 PM


Nice to meet you.

Have a good week.

Good luck.

defow.com
Add Comment


©2003-2009 MySpace.com. All Rights Reserved.