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Rifftides

Doug Ramsey on Jazz and other matters...

Chet Baker And Bruce Jenner: Separated At Birth?

Chet BakerBruce Jenner 1

Chet BakerBruceJenner 2

Sorry about the headline. While I waited in line at the supermarket, I was infected by tabloid newspapers.

Jenner didn’t play trumpet or sing. Baker is not known for decathlon victories. What he is famous for is captured in a video made in Laren, The Netherlands, in 1975, 13 years before his death. He was captured in concert with alto saxophonist Bob Mover, pianist Harold Danko, bassist Dave Shapiro and drummer Beaver Harris. The guest artist is soprano saxophonist and flutist Jacques Pelzer, with whom Baker had a close connection during his later years in Europe. Baker had recovered from the loss of several teeth after he was beaten in San Francisco in 1968, most likely over a drug deal. Plagued by his addiction, he could still produce moments of the lyricism that made him one of the best known musicians of his time. His playing on “I Waited For You” here is an example of his ability to caress and embellish a melody.

You may want to set aside time for this. The segment runs 40 minutes.

Chet Baker, 1929-1988.

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Doug Ramsey

Doug is a recipient of the lifetime achievement award of the Jazz Journalists Association. He lives in the Pacific Northwest, where he settled following a career in print and broadcast journalism in cities including New York, New Orleans, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, San Antonio, … [MORE]

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