The first in Blue Note's
Jazz Profile CD series, this sampler features trumpeter/vocalist
Chet Baker, who never actually recorded for Blue Note; his Pacific Jazz recordings, however, are also owned by Blue Note's parent company EMI. All 11 selections on this set have been reissued on CD; although they are not quite definitive (no "My Funny Valentine" here), there is a great deal of fine music to be heard.
Baker is featured in settings ranging from his quartet with
Russ Freeman (taking four vocals) to medium-size groups with altoist
Herb Geller and tenor/arranger
Jack Montrose; plus, there is one appearance apiece for valve trombonist
Bob Brookmeyer, altoist
Art Pepper and tenorman
Phil Urso. A good introduction to the cool-toned trumpeter in his early days, when he was also considered to be a heartthrob as a singer. ~ Scott Yanow