 Chet Baker, a popular cool-toned trumpet player with movie star good looks was a star by the age of twenty-three, winner of all the jazz polls as singer as well as trumpeter. After getting out of the Army, he gigged with Charlie Parker on the West Coast in 1952 and then joined the Gerry Mulligan pianoless Quartet that soon became among the most popular in jazz. Their recording of "My Funny Valentine" caused a national sensation and made the fragile sound of Baker's horn emblematic of an entire "cool" attitude. Baker then formed a very successful quartet with pianist Russ Freeman. Except for a brief period of inactivity, Chet continued to perform for over thirty years. Some of his finest recordings were made shortly before his death. Since then his reputation continues to grow, thanks to his colorful life no less than his beautiful music. In 1989, Baker was elected into the Down Beat Hall of Fame.
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