Personnel:
Charlie Parker (as), Chet Baker (tp), Sonny Criss (as), Al Haig, Russ Freeman (p), Harry Babasin (b), Lawrence Marable (d)
Reference: FSRCD 359
Bar code: 8427328603591
The music here comes from one of Monday night sessions at the Trade Winds, on June 16, 1952, a time when Charlie Parker was touring the West Coast. It was not good time for Bird, who appeared tired and overweight, but played as magnificently as ever.
[...] In a sense jazz had become 'underground' music regardless of the type of jazz actually being played. The smaller places seem to produce 'better' jazz from the very same musicians than when they played large auditoriums. What the trend clearly denoted was that although the general jazz influence was at its lowest in years with respect to comercial dance bands, radio and records, more and better jazz was being played in the area!
—Jordi Pujol (From the inside liner notes)
"In June of 1952 someone with a tape recorder hijacked a performance of Charlie Parker's quintet at the Trade Winds in Inglewood, California. The tape discloses the 22-year-old Chet Baker about a month before he joined the Gerry Mulligan Quartet. The trumpeter is lyrical and swift, with good range and tone. He is bursting with original ideas, most of which he is able to execute. In short, young Baker on the verge of international celebrity was a worthy foil for the premier jazz musician of the day."
—Doug Ramsey
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"This CD's historic value. Trumpeter Chet Baker is heard shortly before he joined Gerry Mulligan's quartet participating on a jam session with altos Charlie Parker and Sonny Criss. They play lengthy versions of four songs and there are plenty of heated moments on this bop set."
Scott Yanow -All Music Guide
