Chet Baker was a great trumpet player and an unconventional singer. The fact that he lived to be 59 was pretty amazing considering he was known as an incredulous junkie. Living through the 60s and 70s with a smack habit was quite a feat. In 1969 Chet was severely beaten by a group of San Francisco junkies and relieved of his dope money as well as all of his teeth. Chet was quoted as saying “Believe me, when a trumpet player has had his teeth pulled, it is a comeback.” It would take a few years but Chet relearned how to play with false teeth and in ’74 staged his comeback.

Sadly it all came to an untimely end in May of 1988 when Baker fell out of his 2nd story hotel window in Amsterdam. Some accounts wager that he had locked himself out of his room and was attempting cross balconies. A tragic accident, yes. But after years of being “clean” both cocaine and heroin were found in his room as well as in his body at autopsy. Tragic.

Buried next to his father at Inglewood Park Cemetery, Chet Baker’s final resting place.

Here he is just a few weeks before his death performing in Stuttgart, Germany. His sad voice and worn face from blues-lived are unmistakable.

In his early days, his voice was smoky and seductive, with looks that would land him modeling jobs in more modern times. Here is one of my favorites that was a big hit for Chet, She was too good to me.

Another favorite of mine is the 75 live album he recorded with Gerry Mulligan, here is It’s Sandy At The Beach.

Chet Baker was truly one of a kind, with great tone, and amazing voice.

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Collared for a night out.