In his dual role as a trumpeter and as a singer, Chet Baker was one of the undisputed jazz masters, able to reach climaxes of intense feeling and intimacy. This LP compiles some of his best performances. Among the highlights are “My Funny Valentine”, a song Baker made into a classic, “Deep in a Dream”, “Alone Together” (featuring Bill Evans), and “Let’s Get Lost”.

“I studied music at junior college, but at the end of a year-and-a-half I failed that –and I still play by ear. Although I can read, I don’t know the chords. I just hear them, you know, but if you ask me what the name of it is, I wouldn’t be able to tell you.”Chet Baker (interviewed by Les Tomkins in 1979)

CHET BAKER, vocals & trumpetOn all tracks, plus:Collective personnel: Herbie Mann (fl), Pepper Adams (bar),Russ Freeman, Bill Evans, Kenny Drew (p),Carson Smith, Paul Chambers, Sam Jones, Jimmy Bond (b),Bob Neel, Connie Kay, Philly Joe Jones (d), among others.Recorded between 1954 & 1959.

• 1. My Funny Valentine (Richard Rodgers-Lorenz Hart)
• 2. I've Never Been In Love Before (Frank Loesser)
• 3. I Fall In Love Too Easily (Sammy Cahn-Jule Styne)
• 4. Alone Together (Howard Dietz-Arthur Schwartz)
• 5. But Not For Me (George & Ira Gershwin)
• 6. Let's Get Lost (Frank Loesser-Jimmy McHugh)
• 7. Deep In a Dream (Jimmy Van Heusen-Eddie De Lange)
• 8. You Don't Know What Love is (Don Raye-Gene Depaul)
• 9. Time After Time (Sammy Cahn-Jule Styne)
• 10. It Could Happen To You (Johnny Burke-Jimmy Van Heusen)
• 11. Just Friends (John Klenner-Sam M. Lewis)
• 12. Everything Happens To Me (Tom Adair-Matt Dennis)
• 13. Summertime (George & Ira Gershwin-Dubose Heyward)
• 14. My Funny Valentine #2 (Richard Rodgers-Lorenz Hart)