Chet Baker - Sextet and Quartet (Milan) Chet Baker

The LP Septet & Quartet by Chet Baker (originally released as In Milan) consists of two separate studio sessions recorded September and October 1959, just prior to his 30th birthday in December. He had a long and complicated relationship with Italy, a country where he was incarcerated for drug offensives, but also adored by a myriad of unconditional Italian fans, musicians, and producers who idolised him and recorded him extensively at every opportunity.

The musicians accompanying Chet Baker on Septet & Quartet were among the very best of the Italian jazz scene of the time - Glauco Masetti on alto sax, Gianni Basso on tenor sax, Renato Sellani on piano, Franco Cerri on double bass, together with the Italian-American Gene Victory on drums. The arrangements were entrusted to Giulio Libano, who provided ample space for all to solo. Chet Baker is undoubtedly the protagonist, but a lot of freedom of expression is granted to his fellow adventurers.

Featuring a programme of five jazz standards such as 'Tune Up' by Miles Davis, 'Pent-Up House' by Sonny Rollins, along with four popular standards including the added closing bonus track 'My Funny Valentine' with Chet Baker providing the vocal on an otherwise all instrumental LP.