Baker, Chet: The Lyrical Trumpet Of Chet Baker

Bob Willoughby (1927-2009) was an American photographer from Los Angeles best known for his intimate jazz photography before rising to prominence in Hollywood. In the late 1940s and early 1950s he captured jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ella Fitzgerald in clubs, backstage, and recording studios, revealing the improvisational spirit and humanity of the music. Willoughby’s images combine elegance, spontaneity, and timeless visual storytelling. His jazz work helped launch a prolific career that later included iconic film-set portraits and contributions to major magazines.

The 1958 album CHET: The Lyrical Trumpet of Chet Baker presented Baker in an unusual setting, accompanied by great jazz musicians with whom he would only rarely play and record: Bill Evans (these were his first two sessions with the pianist), Herbie Mann, Pepper Adams, and Kenny Burrell.

½ Down Beat:
“Baker’s trumpet gives to this record something that too few performances possess today: thoughtful understatement.” (Richard B. Hadlock)

CHET BAKER trumpet
BILL EVANS piano
HERBIE MANN flute
PEPPER ADAMS baritone sax
KENNY BURRELL guitar (on A3 & B2 only)
PAUL CHAMBERS bass
CONNIE KAY drums (on A1-A3 & B1-B3)
PHILLY JOE JONES drums (on A4 & B4-B5)
New York, December 30, 1958 (A1-A3, B1-B3) & January 19, 1959 (A4 & B4-B5)
Original sessions produced by Orrin Keepnews
BONUS TRACKS (A5 & B6): CHET BAKER, trumpet; BILL EVANS, piano; ZOOT SIMS, tenor sax; HERBIE MANN, flute (on A5 only), EARL MAY, bass; CLIFFORD JARVIS, drums; New York, July 22, 1959