Bio of Chet Baker, a Jazz Legend
American Trumpet Player Fought and Died from Drug Addiction
Mar 28, 2008
From the early 50's to the late 80's, Chet Baker was one of the most compelling and most troubled perfomers in Jazz music, but his legacy is the beautiful music that he recorded throughout his life.
Chet Baker was born in 1929, in Oklahoma, and began playing trumpet as a child. He served in the army, playing in the Army Band, and when he returned home from service, he continued his musical education, exhibiting a talent for Jazz. By 1952, he was playing professionally with Jazz great Charlie Parker, and then with the immensely popular Gerry Mulligan Quartet. His ‘West Coast Cool” style of playing won many plaudits and many fans, and he rapidly became a star.
Baker's Signature Tune: My Funny Valentine
By the late 50s, Chet had experienced great success both artistically and commercially, making now classic recordings such as his signature tune "My Funny Valentine" and had been offered movie roles, and won popular polls in Downbeat Magazine for his singing and trumpet playing. But he had also succumbed to Heroin addiction, a problem that would go on to ruin his career, land him in jail, and eventually cost him his life.
Exile in Europe
Chet retreated to Europe for several years, where his albums and his performances with some of the continent’s finest Jazz musicians remained hugely popular, however his troubles were not far behind. He spent time in jail for drug possession in the early 60s, and by the end of the decade had lost his teeth, his reputation in music, and saddest of all his ability to play his beloved trumpet.
Courageous Comeback
Through the early 70s, Chet was able to teach himself to play the trumpet while wearing the dentures that had replaced the teeth he had lost. This process took him years, but allowed him to play again and return to recording and performing. This period of his life saw him produce richer and more emotionally charged music than ever before, as he turned his personal misfortunes into artistic expression. It seemed that a great future beckoned once more.
Chet's Best Album
The Eighties were to be a great decade for Chet Baker, but the last he would see. Living and working almost exclusively in Europe, Chet made numerous recordings with modern musicians, and produced some of his finest work. His drug addiction seemed to be largely under control, and he even tried to break free of it, using methadone as a substitute for his drug of choice, Heroin. In 1987 he recorded what many regard to be his finest album, “Live in Tokyo” where his playing was as creative and heartfelt as at any time in his career.
A Tragic End
In May 1988 Chet was killed in a fall from his hotel window in Amsterdam. He had taken a large quantity of both Heroin and Cocaine, and the official verdict was that it had been a tragic accident, though rumours of suicide and even murder persisted due to the somewhat mysterious circumstances of his death. He was 58 years old.
Legacy
Several books have since been written about his life, a documentary by the film maker Bruce Weber appeared shortly after Chet’s death, and a feature film about his life has even been touted in recent years. What is certain though, is that more than twenty years after his death and more than half a century since his career began, Chet’s work continues to entertain and move listeners all over the world.
Sources
J. De Valk, Chet Baker, Berkeley Hills Books, 2000.
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