All right, I admit it. I'm feeling a bit introspective, perhaps even melancholy this week. And when I feel this way, one musician comes to mind: the enigmatic Chet Baker. From his beginnings at the vanguard of the West Coast cool jazz movement of the early 1950s to his battles with drug addition and suspicious death in Amsterdam 1988, Chet Baker was the epitome of a tragic figure in jazz.
Hollywood handsome and incredibly talented with both his horn and his voice, Chet wowed audiences and fans around the world for over three decades. Despite his drug habit and related difficulties with the law, Chet toured incessantly and retained a loyal and devoted fan following throughout his career.
This week I will attempt to chronicle the career of a true giant of jazz, from his beginnings in the California club scene with the likes of Gerry Mulligan, to his latter days in Europe. We'll also check in with Elvis Costello, who developed a relationship with Chet in the 1980s shortly before his death.
Join me for a memorable night of jazz, self-exploration and remembrance. Chill out to some bittersweet sounds on CJSW-FM here in Calgary or around the world via the web at www.cjsw.com. Peace.
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