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Thanks IsraCloud for the fine memoir of Maestro Chet. Enclosing my memory of first meeting Chet, which i posted as a comment on the youtube his collaboration with Duke Jordan "No Problem" among others.
Plus my correspondence with Artt Frank, Chet's drummer and loyal friend. Artt postponed our correspondence until he finishes Book Two of his "Chet Baker: The Missing Years"
The last time I spoke with Artt on the phone I sang the opening bars of a beautiful ballad by Brother Chet for which I wrote lyrics entitled "You Are My Rainbow" And now I can't remember the title of Chet's recording of that beautiful winsome but obscure ballad.
I thought for sure Artt would recognize and identify it but he couldn't.
So now I'm hoping we can connect by email or phone (541-613-8212) and hopefully you can help me identify and find this beautiful Chet ballad again, which I think I heard on the radio...i want to overdub my voice and try to sound like Chet, which comes naturally, because I totally identify with Chet's mellifluous singing Thanks again IsraCloud!

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The first time I met Chet Baker, he was playing at a little neighborhood club called Strykers on 86th & Columbus Avenue on Manhattan's Upper West Side. He was coming back after years of an extended period of absence, having diligently devoted himself to re-learning to play trumpet with dentures, which everybody told him could not be done. But he persevered and prevailed, and this was one of his first comeback gigs. Awesome! I never heard any trumpet sound like that! I don't think it could ever be captured on a recording: So intimate tender innovative & personal...sometimes just whispering & breathing infinite silence space&timelessness into his trumpet...He just loved music & making music so deeeeeeeeeply & innately: just making the purest finest most beautiful sounds and blissful ethereal effects. Chet Baker was truly a great Maestro of the highest degree, a natural-born precocious musical genius like Mozart!

During the break I came up to Chet to thank & enthusiastically congratulate him. In my over-enthusiasm I started telling Chet how much I also dug & admired & had been imitating his singing for years, and automatically went into my little imitation of him singing “I Wish I Knew” till I caught myself & felt embarrassed & silly & said,“Oh no! Here I am doing my Chet Baker imitation for Chet Baker!” He just smiled & said “You don't look old enough to remember that record.” (1955 LP called “Chet Baker Sings& Plays")

He looked gaunt & emaciated, almost like a derelict. But his voice and manner were rather pleasant polite mellow kind & refined, sensitive gentle very personable sweet good-natured & very likable, casual cultured & well-bred. I asked him if he would sing during his second-set after the break. He thanked me for asking but apologized & explained why he really couldn't because he was working with just a bassist & drummer & no piano...
He excused himself when his band-mates summoned him to prepare for their second set. There were just a few other people at that very small dimly-lit cellar club that night. My date was a nice girl who had the same last name as me though we were otherwise unrelated, I barely remember her, but we were both blown-away by Chet!

When Chet came back from the break, he opened his set singing “Just Friends” Bless his heart! Still feels good that he honored my request & was singing just for me! His singing always kinda reminds me of Alfalfa from “Our Gang”
https://youtu.be/MJde86uISv0
He reminds me of Chet, because he sings all-out every moment! Every note and every word with all his heart and soul! And he always tends to be bravely out-singing and tenaciously overcoming all obstacles and adverse circumstances. And he tends to struggle to stay on key on the high notes: barely making it by sheer force of will! Bravo Alfalfa! Bravo Chet!

I still listen to Chet's music almost every day now, often listening to him continually all day long, and when I try listening to something else for a change, I find myself missing his familiar soothing sound which is so much an integral part of me, I find myself unable to listen to anything else & hafta sink right back into that sweet fine&mellow transcendent celestial atmosphere he creates so effortlessly & endlessly...

PS: I had given Chet my business card that night, and to my surprise & amazement—first thing in the morning--he called me! But that's another story for another time now...

PLEASE FORWARD COMMENTS TO: [email protected]
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Artt Frank 1 year ago
I believe I met you that night also. I was Chet's drummer. As for his first comeback. That happened in Hollywood back in Feb. of 1969 at The Melody Room.- I was the one who bought him his flugelhorn, and watched him for many months re-learning how to play all over again, suffering from Trigeminal Nerve Damage to both sides of his cheeks and jawline. He went thru a lot of pain, but he never gave up. Then finally, after many months of re-learning, he was finally able to play a complete tune. Soon after this, I got him his first comeback gig at the Melody Room on the Sunset Strip, a few months later helped him to get a record contract at MGM/VERVE called, "BLOOD CHET & TEARS"- The rest you can read in my book of memoirs about Chet on (amazon.com) under the title, "Chet Baker: The Missing Years"- Artt Frank.

May 2, 2020
Thanks soooooo much Brother Artt for responding to my youtube comment on meeting Chet at Strykers Pub! Godblessyou for being such a devoted loyal friend to Maestro Chet--as great & fine as any musician who ever lived! And whose music will live on forever!
Please forgive my delay in responding, but I just discovered your reply a few minutes ago. I would love to stay in touch! And look forward to reading your book.
Please feel free to email me: [email protected]
Meanwhile checkout my current grant-worthy project: : PRAY AWAY THE VIRUS! https://youtu.be/neyWZ7M5er4

This piece is crying for a great drummer! We're applying for a grant for the WORLDWIDE CAMPAIGN TO PRAY AWAY THE VIRUS! And would be blessed & honored to include you as a recipient & creative participant in this urgent humanitarian venture!

[email protected]

Meanwhile I hope u can dig my collaboration with Chet's iconic collaborator {Gerry Mulligan}
https://youtu.be/d7AXart-2dU
“That's How Alone I Am”

Thanks again Godblessyou Maestro Artt & Lady Lisa!
Please stay strong healthy mellow & well, in-tune & in-touch & in-love With Peacelovejoynow4eveR!

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