The first-ever official release of this rare live material, a set that collects two different dates – a quartet performance with Carson Smith on bass and Larry Bunker on drums, and quintet date that adds Russ Freeman on piano and swaps in Shelly Manne behind the drum set. CD

The first-ever official release of this rare live material, a set that collects two different dates – a quartet performance with Carson Smith on bass and Larry Bunker on drums, and quintet date that adds Russ Freeman on piano and swaps in Shelly Manne behind the drum set. CD

The first-ever official release of this rare live material, a set that collects two different dates – a quartet performance with Carson Smith on bass and Larry Bunker on drums, and quintet date that adds Russ Freeman on piano and swaps in Shelly Manne behind the drum set. CD

An early document of a surprisingly great pairing – the tenor of Stan Getz and the trumpet of Chet Baker – working together here in a live date from 1953, served up in tight quartet formation! The group features Carson Smith on bass and Larry Bunker on drums – and the overall feel's a bit like Chet's Pacific Jazz sides of the time, but a bit more soulful. Titles include "Move", "Half Nelson", "Strike Up The Band", "Yesterdays", "Whispering", and "Soft Shoe". 12 tracks in all! CD

A classic meeting of these two talents – recorded in Chicago with a Chicago rhythm section of Jodie Christian, Victor Sproles, and Marshall Thompson. The album's an odd one, and is recorded with less of the impeccability of some of Verve's other sessions (which is probaby how the Chicago team got in the action) – but given Baker's harder-edged proclivities at the time, the set's a very interesting one to hear, and the relaxed nature of the tracks brings out some important solo moments from both players. 4 long tracks – including "I'll Remember April", "Jordu", and "Half-Breed Apache". CD

One of the most unusual albums in the career of trumpet legend Chet Baker – done at a time when he was definitely going through some changes in his life, which also led to some changes in his music too! This set's not unlike a similar date that Stan Getz did for Verve around the same time – larger backings, and tunes that include some contemporary hits that are redone as jazz vehicles – arranged by Jerry Styner, and featuring instrumentation from some key members of The Wrecking Crew! Chet sings a bit – and the richness of the arrangements really push his vocals on those numbers – and honestly, his trumpet has maybe more punch than usual too – almost as if he'd been listening to some of the Hugh Masekela records on Uni, and said "hey, I've got to get my horn out there too!" There's a great mix of melancholy and joy on the record – the former especially in the set's beautiful version of "Come Saturday Morning" – next to other tunes that include "And When I Die", "Evil Ways", "You've Made Me So Very Happy", "Something", "Spinning Wheel", and "Vehicle". LP, Vinyl record album

Music from Stan Getz, Erroll Gardner, Shelby Davis, Art Pepper, Shelly Mann, Chet Baker, Jimmy Giuffre, Gerry Mulligan, and Shorty Rogers with Bud Shank & the Lighthouse All Stars. CD