But Not for Me
Chet Baker
Baker plays and sings on his classic early recording of “But Not For Me”
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24 at the time of this recording, Chet Baker had gained fame as the cool-toned trumpeter with the Gerry Mulligan Quartet of 1952-53.
After he went out on his own, Baker formed a quartet with pianist Russ Freeman and began to sing on an occasional basis.
Baker’s vulnerable-sounding vocals, his medium-register trumpet solos, and his movie star good looks made him one of the heroes and most influential figures in West Coast cool jazz.
“But Not For Me,” which was recorded Feb. 15, 1954, finds Chet Baker sounding laidback at the medium tempo, singing, playing trumpet, and giving pianist Russ Freeman a short solo of his own.
Personnel:
Chet Baker, trumpet, vocals
Russ Freeman, piano
Carson Smith, bass
Bob Neel, drums
– Scott Yanow
Ella Fitzgerald