When Chet Baker landed in Paris in September 1955, the nightlife of the St. Germain-des-Prés quarter was uninhibitedly competing with New York City’s 52nd Street. American jazz musicians frequently recorded with the local musicians like Henri Renaud, Jean-Louis Viale, Pierre Michelot, Martial Solal, René Urtreger, and Bobby Jasper, as well as American expatriates Dave Amran, Jay Cameron, and Jimmy Gourley.
At the time of his arrival, to Parisians, Chet Baker was still a “famous” unknown. Apart from his appearances in Gerry Mulligan’s quartet and his bookings with Charlie Parker, Baker was known as the misty, murmuring musician who had sublimated “My Funny Valentine”. These now-legendary sessions for Barclay were a remarkable testament to his astounding brilliance, from his evocative playing, to the unusual arrangements and musical pairings, and including his first ever vocal only recording. This beautifully-packaged collection is the complete Barclay sessions of the Chet Baker Quartet and Chet Baker with orchestra.