Tenor saxophonist
Stan Getz and trumpeter
Chet Baker never particularly liked each other and, even though they had musically compatible styles, they only worked together briefly in three periods. Their mutual hostility can be felt in subtle ways on this session.
Getz ignores
Baker's attempt to state the melody of "I'll Remember April" and he plays it himself several bars after. The two horns do not meet at all on the ballad medley and, since
Baker sits out on "Jordu," they only play together on two of the four performances.
Getz battles a squeaky reed on "I'll Remember April" and
Baker seems a bit subpar in general although he really digs in on "Half-Breed Apache" (a very fast "Cherokee"). This effort, which also includes pianist
Jodie Christian, bassist
Victor Sproles, and drummer
Marshall Thompson, doesn't really live up to its potential. ~ Scott Yanow