Completely evocative late life work from Chet Baker, his last studio recording, and a set that shows just how much Baker kept evolving in the later years of his career! This album differs from the others and it is one of the best and the most charming one. Chet plays, sings, and reads poetry, a truly magical experience.

• Historic last studio recording by Chet Baker!
• Vinyl LP
• Gatefold Cover
• Produced by Rocco Pandiani
• Stereo Remaster

"Chet On Poetry is his last record in studio, but indeed it differs from the others and it is one of the best and the most charming one. Chet was in a good shape in Rome, in those Winter days, and he had the right partners. First of all you have to listen to him when he reads poetry." This is how the great Italian critic Franco Fayenz introduces this recording in his liner notes.

Chet On Poetry actually is West Coast's trumpet superstar last studio recording. Chet On Poetry is Chet's spiritual testament in music and probably one of his most meaningful records. "Chet On Poetry was not only the production of a record, but also a path of experimentation in another field, which was made possible through the profound human connection between myself, Chet, our poet friend Maurizio Guercini and later on Gianluca Manzi," states Nicola Stilo, artistic producer, composer of most of the music, flute and guitar player of this album.

From the surreal poetry which introduces Duke Ellington's "In A Sentimental Mood" to the bluesy ballad "Almost Blue", which Elvis Costello dedicated to Chet and Chet picks up for this last masterpiece, delivers intensity and goes beyond any time criteria. Taken off the original tapes and remastered, this compact disc edition of Chet On Poetry, curated by Mono Jazz label, represent an indispensable addition to any serious Chet Baker's discography.

Given some of the personal troubles that plagued Chet over the decades, there's sometimes a thought out there that he was a weaker version of himself at this time – but that's definitely not the case, as Baker really shifted his sound and style to accommodate some of his challenges, at a level that maybe made the music even more powerful than some of his music from years before!

Some of the best moments here feature contributions from key musical partner of the 80s Nicola Stilo, who uses flute, guitar, and piano in these light ways while Chet's soloing with this strong, fluid vibe that's a real surprise – gentle, but extremely powerful. A few cuts bring in a bit of keyboards, and Chet sings a bit – but his best "singing" here is through his trumpet, which is still a hell of a voice in jazz.

Musicians:

Chet Baker - (trumpet, vocals)
Carla Marcotulli - (backing vocals)
Enzo Pietropaoli - (double bass)
Roberto Gatto - (drums)
Nicola Stilo - (flute, guitar, piano)
Alfredo Minotti - (percussion)

Track Listing:

01. In A Sentimental Mood
02. The Party Is Over
03. With Sadness
04. Like The Precedent
05. Deep Arabesques
06. Chet's Blues
07. Almost Blue
08. Waiting For Chet

Click here to listen to samples on YouTube.com ♫