Chet Baker, Stuttgart, 1988

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When I was reading Jeroen de Valk's beautiful book 'Memories Of A Lyrical Trumpeter' (available in English under the title: 'Chet Baker: His Life And Music') there was a passage I was very intrigued by:

"...On April 1st, there is this peculiar performance for the German television: Chet looks like a living corpse and wears a ghostly white suit. But his playing is breathtaking. There is an atmospehere of urgence, of 'now or never', as he pushes endless streams of melodies out of his trumpet..."
When the guitarist's amplifier produces feedback, he says in an irritated way: 'Please don't play with it while I'm singing this tune!' (You can see that bit on 25:50)

(From Jeroen de Valk's book as mentioned above, page 199)

I immediately want to find footage described like that. It is on a DVD called 'Torino 1959/Stuttgart 1988' from Impro-Jazz) which happened to be in my personal collection.

It's a saddening piece of film, and it breaks my heart to see my beloved Chet so tired and cranky on April Fools' Day 1988. On the 13th of May he was gone.

Theaterhaus Jazztage, Stuttgart Germany
April 1st, 1988

Chet Baker - Trumpet
Nicola Stilo - Guitar, Piano
Walter Schmucker - Bass
Vincent Seno - Drums

Category:

Music

[rickstolk]

thanks, but that was already in the description...

[schimmelpenninq]

he can't stand the guitarist his style of playing.

yes, actually he ruins the tune, he fills it in the wrong way,

not very intimate like chet his intention was... i think...

[raacad]

not the feedback is the problem. it's the guitar player!

[incasmaya]

The guitar is out of tune!!

[1IanuariuS1]

<3

[MikeRichmondMusic]

So beautiful bass lines and support. Rhythm section totally in the pocket. So nice to hear jazz I grew up with. Miss working with him. Mike Richmond

[dexterfm]

@adecution i dont see how his singing in the 80s is superior to his early recordings. Yes, it sounded completely feminine but at least he was singing with a little more energy and had good intonation. He was all over the place most of the time during this (and most other late concerts).

[jazzpianoNZ]

The piano and guitar comping is in many places a contradicting style to Chet's mellow playing and singing. There are moments of beauty, but for long sections the piano + guitar are jarring and not sympathetic at all. Must have been a difficult gig for everyone. (including the sound guy).. It's not surprising Chet was frustrated.

[dm7b5]

@adeduction I have to respect the concept that the art created touched you and has deep meaning for you.I can respect his art- but not this artist. Peace

[adeduction]

@dm7b5 We're all f#cked up one way or another. His mother probably was as directly responsible 4 his faults as she was with his genius Yes his early singing was absurd but eventually he became a great singer. Baker deserves to be venerated, adored, exalted because he earned it by creating lots of beautiful moving exciting music. He made my life happier - blessed me more than any saint except Coltrane ever did. Baker strived for perfection & it sounds to me like he achieved it before he died.

[dm7b5]

you know, I have a hard time with this guy. Put out some good instrumental smal band stuff, his singing can get annoying for me. any of you hero worshippers need to watch the doc on his life, "Let's get lost". He was a user in every way- drugs, other musicians,friends,family- even his own family. His own mother could no longer take him. I don't by into the artist as madman theory- in this case, the artist as lowlife IMO.