Deep in a Dream: The Long Night of Chet Baker

My wife and I finished "Deep in a Dream" this month and found it extremely insightful and engaging. As a musician, I was fascinated to learn the extent to which Chet's talent was unschooled; and my wife, who is a non-musician but a big Chet fan, was struck by the contrast between Chet's life and his art. Some of the stories, like the Italian trial and the pharmacy arson, made me shake my head in disbelief.

This is an excellent book on Chet Baker--I found it very interesting and a very engaging read. I feel Mr. Gavin does an incredible job balancing the musical career and personal life of Chet, extensively discussing both his meteoric rise--and his quick descent into the hell of heroin addiction. The mystique of Chet Baker and public is well addressed, and ties in very well with how he used his talent, fame, looks and charm to personally exploit almost every person he ever came in contact with. This book is an excellent case study of the narcissist--and the numerous victims these people leave in their wake. It really makes you feel sorry for the women and children he left behind--individuals who will be forever scarred by their relationship with this man. Unfortunately their is a stark contrast between his musical and personal legacy. No one who came in contact with this Chet came away unscathed. The huge gap between the public image of the angelic-looking trumpetist--and the evil reality of this man--speaks to the power of his magnetism and muscial talent.

Chet Baker had it all: an amazing musical talent, handsome looks, fans worldwide and a drug addiction that took it all away. In this extraordinary biography by James Gavin, we get an intimate glimpse at the artist. It's not pretty but it truly is riveting. I, too, heard James Gavin on Terry Gross' "Fresh Air" and bought the book as a result. Gavin deserves much kudos. He presents a well-balanced portrait of Chet Baker, the the best one I've read on him. Gavin clearly demonstrates keen knowledge of the jazz world and his subject. This book could not have been an easy undertaking. Yes, the drug aspect is dealt with in great detail, but how could it not? Unfortunately, it appears music and drugs didn't exist without each other in Baker's life. In one of the more poignant moments of the book, Baker has finished playing one of the most celebrated gigs of his career, only to be found within a week playing on the street to scrounge up a hundred bucks for a fix. Throughout all this, I don't for one minute believe that Gavin is out to slay his subject by painting a tabloid picture. Unlike many tell-all biographies, Gavin truly cares about Baker. And it shows thorough a deftly crafted chronicle of Baker's wild roller coaster life that shoots to the top then plunges only to go faster and faster. Taking us along through twists and turns, spiraling out of control until a final stretch, that although we know what's coming, we want to read more. At times Baker's music merit is debated. There is one thing that isn't. That's his legacy to the world of jazz: Over 150 albums; a recording of "My Funny Valentine" that, to this day, all others are compared; and now we have Gavin's remarkable yet very disturbing portrait of the legend. When I finished reading, I was left with one question. Has Hollywood noticed this book? It should.

For all the people complaining that this book doesn't delve enough into the music of Chet Baker, this is a biography, not a music criticism. If you want to hear the music, put on a record or a CD and listen. If you want to read about the music, read a music criticism or reviews of his records. If you want a biography, this is it.

It's difficult to recreate the arrival of Chet Baker to the world of jazz. At that time, around 1950, the trumpet masters were Roy Eldridge, Dizzy Gillespe, Fats Navarro, and the Stan Kenton trumpet section, with Maynard Fergueson, and Buddy Childers. These "monsters" played above high C. F's, G's, and yes even DOUBLE high C's were their daily vocabulary. Along comes a kid from Oklahoma, whose family settles near LA, who never practices, has no high register(if he ever played a high C, I've never heard it) and decides to confront these guys, and the public with his idea of jazz, and jazz singing.He is an immediate sensation. His chamber music approach to jazz trumpet playing affects many people as does his singing. There are those who rate him a spinoff of Miles Davis, and that his singing isn't singing at all. I rate him a true master in both categories. The only fly in the ointment was his discovery and love of heroin. It superceded everything in his life---loved ones(some say he only loved heroin) children, musical associates etc. James Gavin does a masterful job recreating a life if possible, more tragic than Art Pepper's, or Charley Parker's. It's not for the faint of heart. If you worship every note and vocal of this master as I do, it's a must.