pdf, with thanks to the original sharer
Nearly everyone loathed Chet Baker. Before another huge audience, Sims called out an opening tune, Dizzy Gillespie’s “Groovin’ High.” “I don’t wanna play that,” said Baker, pouting. Sims blew up. “Oh yeah? You don’t wanna play that? Well, what do you wanna play, Chet?”
“I wanna play ‘Four.’ ”
“You know what? We can play ‘Four.’ We’ll play what you wanna play. Because you’re a fucking baby, Chet. You were a fucking baby in 1955, and you’re still a fucking baby. Now we’ll play what the baby wants. One-two, one-two-three—”
The musicians were so stunned that no one took the first solo. As Mover jumped in, he heard Sims and Baker arguing behind him: “Yeah, well, fuck you! ” “Fuck you, too!” Davis turned around: “Gentlemen, what is the matter? What is going on here? This is a performance!”
“I wanna play ‘Four.’ ”
“You know what? We can play ‘Four.’ We’ll play what you wanna play. Because you’re a fucking baby, Chet. You were a fucking baby in 1955, and you’re still a fucking baby. Now we’ll play what the baby wants. One-two, one-two-three—”
The musicians were so stunned that no one took the first solo. As Mover jumped in, he heard Sims and Baker arguing behind him: “Yeah, well, fuck you! ” “Fuck you, too!” Davis turned around: “Gentlemen, what is the matter? What is going on here? This is a performance!”
Thanks for this one Johnny. Despite his difficult personality and tragic life, Chet will always be the "King of Cool" to me.
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