Chet Baker Chet Baker In Paris Vol. 1

This session, recorded at Studio Pathé-Magellan October 11 and 14, 1955 in Paris, is the first of three recordings released for the Barclay label between 1955 and 1956. For his first recording-date in Paris Chet Baker decided to tackle Bob Zieff's compositions, the same ones that Dick Twardzik had picked up in a hurry at the Alvin Hotel on his way to board the liner Ile-de-France. Violonist Dick Wetmore had just recorded the eight tunes, and Zieff had had just enough time to revise the arrangements.

Chet neither a champion sight-reader nor a big fan of rehearsals, hadn't yet played them in front of an audience. From that first French session only the reel referred to as a ‘production tape' remains. This ‘complete Bob Zieff' gives an impression of unity that well matches the suite concept intended by the composer; as for "The Girl From Greenland," its role comes as a codicil. The record of Chet's quartet with Twardzik has now appeared in Ben Ratliff's book Jazz, a Critic's Guide to The 100 Most Important Recordings (The New York Times Essential Library); it's a fitting mention for an album that was long-unrecognized in the the United States. 

Features:
• 180g vinyl LP
• Re-mastered from the original master tapes
• Pressed by Pallas in Germany
• Facsimile reissue using the original photo by Jean-Pierre Leloir
• Double insert using an original photo by JP Leloir from the session