Chesney Henry Baker Jr., or Chet Baker died twenty years ago in Amsterdam, Netherlands on May 13, 1988. Baker was a fine American jazz trumpeter and singer, his melancholic style is one of the significant sound tracks of life.

Baker‘s work and image is well documented as a clean cut white boy with a trumpet. This image remains intact with many, until photographer and film maker Bruce Weber captured a portion of Baker‘s life just before his tragic death in the acclaimed documentary — Let‘s get lost.

Weber‘s film reveals Baker thirty years on; along way from the fairy story are scores of nameless clubs, a heroine habit, cigarettes, women, prison, the downs and outs that made up Baker‘s life since. Dianne one Chet‘s partners said of him —“ …it‘s a no win situation with a junkie, …you really can‘t rely on Chet and if you know that you can pull through.“ Baker and his cohorts don’t hold back, and this portrait, shot in beautiful black and white, depicts a hypnotic, dreamy and compelling life.

He died in 1988 after falling from a hotel window, and in a strange way after seeing this film this end seems tragically fitting.

Lets get lost by Bruce Weber is perfect holiday viewing, with, or without the excuse of a rainy day.

Comment?