Celebrity (1950)

Another gem from the 1950s, showing Bird with that half-smile, and of course, that brilliance.

Bird and Diz

taken from Verve

This is the legendary final record date that bop greats Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie made together — and the only one they played with genius Thelonius Monk. In the essay enclosed, Parker scholar James Patrick illustrates the crossroads in the lives of these three at the time of this landmark session.

This issue presents all takes from the session: every bit o’ Bird and Diz, including fascinating studio chatter between takes. Of course, the original LP program is presented first, uninterrupted, for those who like their bebop straight up.

Jazz Dispute

Something to brighten up your morning —

This amazing video is a supposed heated debate between Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. Very wonderful interpretation, as well as a perfect timing. This is one of those moments when one is so attuned to what was being said, even without the words.

The recording is “Leap Frog,” from the CD, “Bird And Diz.” With Thelonious Monk, Curly Russell & Buddy Rich, NYC, June 6, 1950. It’s a fun video to watch, and the timing is just uncanny. I like this portrayal of jazz because I think everything that was about Bird and Diz’s music is here:

The Thrill is Gone

The thrill is gone.
This is the end,
So why pretend
And let it linger on?
The thrill is gone.

***

Let’s Get Lost

This is also a film with the same title. It was about Chet Baker‘s affliction with drugs, his struggle with abuse as well as his music. Friends and family talk about his journey and, contrary to what the film might say about his best days being over, I beg to disagree. Chet might have died but his music lives on.

***

The Night We Called It a Day

There was a moon out in space
But a cloud drifted over its face
You kissed me and went on your way
The night we called it a day

***

Tenderly

Again, another one of my favorite instrumentals, “Tenderly” is one of those pieces where you could just sit in the dark with a cigarette in hand and an old love in mind. This appeared in the album, In Paris. Always sweet yet sad, here’s another one of those recordings you can listen to over and over.

***

Time After Time (1964)

Another classic, probably one of my favorite versions of this old song. This is a very rare footage of Chet Baker, all gap-toothed and reminiscent, singing to a piano accompaniment before playing the trumpet. It’s included in the DVD, Jazz Icons: Chet Baker which features two concerts filmed fifteen years apart in Europe. The video you’ll see is recorded at a Belgian TV studio in 1964. Chet is accompanied by his long-time sidemen saxophonist Jacques Pelzer and a French pianist, Rene Urtreger.

***

My Funny Valentine (1987)

This is probably one of the songs that has really found its ‘owner’ in Chet Baker. It was first performed in a musical and then was sang by Judy Garland in a 1939 film. When popular artists from the 1950s included the song in their performances it has gained its popularity yet again, but none made it more noteworthy than Chet Baker, whose vocal skills were first introduced when he sang this song. He was previously just known as a trumpet player, but when people heard the softness and sincerity of his voice in this seemingly chiding yet assuring song of love, “My Funny Valentine” became an instant hit and a jazz standard.

***

In Amsterdam

Whenever I hear or read about someone falling from a window, I think of Chet. To think about the most regrettable way to die – flying one second and then crashing the next. A moment of sheer dream and sheer reality.

Chet Baker was both an angel and a most distraught man, maybe one of the reasons why his music slides and embraces around the heart. I’ve been listening to him all weekend so I thought I’d give him a toast: here’s to loving and losing, ol’ Chet. Here’s to living and dying, at the same time.