Chet Baker, The Sesjun Radio Shows (T2). The trumpeter and singer soars in two CDs compiled from 1970s and ’80s concerts on the Dutch radio program Tros Sesjun. Baker’s fleetness, lyricism, hard swing and vocal improvisations put this among the best work of his later years. Of the sidemen, pianists Harold Danko and Phil Markowitz, bassist Cameron Brown and drummer John Engels make outstanding contributions. Sound quality is superb. There are five stunning 1985 tracks by Baker with guitarist Philip Catherine and bassist Jean Louis Rassinfosse. Even the most hardened Baker detractors will find it difficult to dismiss these glowing performances.
Doug Ramsey on Jazz and other matters...
If the critics really took the time to listen with their ears, they would hear what you and I hear. The greatest lyrical, melodic and understated jazz trumpeter of “All Time”!!!! And I ought to know for I worked with him on/off for over 17 glorious years.
My book of memoirs about Chet will soon be published, and it reveals a side of Chet the world knew nothing about. It’s called, “The Missing Years: A Memoir about Chet Baker, by Artt Frank”, and it reveals the private side of ‘the man behind the horn’