For purposes of discussion, it would be helpful to know your reasoning...
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Some may consider them similar, but I see them quite differently. Chet came up in West Coast school, and didn’t deviate from that style. Maybe if he lived longer he might have. Plus his popularity as a singer certainly differentiates him. Miles began in be-bop with Parker and Gillespie, then moved on to cool and then modal, before exploring electronics and fusion. So much wider ranging stylistically. And for obvious reasons never became a singer. ;^) Also Miles lead most of his groups while Chet was a partner. I really appreciate both for their respective talents and paths (minus the drug impacts). So they are both in my favorites list.
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You’re welcome. I can’t speak about trumpet from a technical point of view but there are others on the forum who probably can. The recordings of M. Davis 2nd Great Quintet are among my favorites in Jazz. For my taste, they embody an ideal balance of consonance/dissonance and structure/freedom. Wayne Shorter is one of my very favorite Jazz composers and tenor players. H. Hancock is one of my favorite Jazz piano players (when he plays acoustic piano -- I don’t care for synths). Miles was a master of saying a lot with just a few notes. I tend to really enjoy such players -- in any genre. I love his dark, smoldering tone and emotional intensity. I also very much enjoy the earlier incarnation of the Quintet with George Coleman on tenor. The live My Funny Valentine is a great example. I haven’t heard much Chet Baker and it was a long time ago. I didn’t find it particularly compelling at the time but stylistically, the music was less appealing to me than what I generally prefer. I should try to listen to more of his stuff. If forced to choose just one, I’d pick Woody Shaw as my favorite trumpet player. |
Two very different musicians, especially if one considers the totality of their respective contributions to Jazz. Both important Jazz players, but ultimately Miles is deserving of the title as one of the giants of Jazz. Baker was a beautifully introspective player with a distinctive way with a melody. But, so was Miles…. when he chose to be. His tonal “palette” was much more wide ranging and his musical persona changed a great deal over the course of his career. He was one of the great innovators in Jazz having influenced players in genres outside the “mainstream”, which is where Baker “lived” pretty much his entire career. From the standpoint of instrumental technique and as demonstrated by their recordings, while it could be argued that Baker was the more “refined” trumpet player given that soothing and warm quality to his tone (itself a sign of good instrumental control), Miles’ showed much wider dynamic range and sheer technical facility. His expressivity seemed to be less dependent on his “sound”.
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Preference is personal and there is no right or wrong, only well formed and informed. That said consider how jazz would have evolved if either musician hadn't existed. Also consider the family tree of musicians that each produced. Miles Davis consistently worked at a much higher level than Chet Baker was ever able to reach. |
@onhwy61 I would dare to call myself reasonable informed (perhaps not yet formed) and I believe that I have about 30 or more albums of Miles and about the same number of Chet's album in my collection. Regarding my 'personal preference' and as much I appreciate Miles, there are 'places' where Chet is just beyond reach, not only for him, but in general...imho |
For trumpet playing I'd say Clifford Brown>Miles Davis>Lee Morgan>Freddie Hubbard>Dizzy Gillespie and then Chet Baker.
As a bandleader and composer it's no contest Miles over Chet by a mile also.
That said I really like Chet Baker no shame in anyone being better and like the OP I find his tone very soothing. |
Chet was the "accessible" Miles Davis. He was obviously influenced by Miles and Miles said Chet copied his style. Personally, I find Baker's music more boring than accessible and prefer Miles by a mile. I honestly believe that had Lee Morgan lived, he would have been a legitimate challenge to the crown. |
@jond I think Clifford Brown had better control than Miles Davis, it’s a shame he died so young. We’d be having a different conversation I think. |
Even though Chet Baker has a couple of golden horn awards, I always thought that they let him play the trumpet so he would sing especially in the later years when he was reported to have problems. I'm a big fan of his singing but not so much his horn playing. So if you are asking about playing.... Miles Davis.... |
“For trumpet playing I'd say Clifford Brown>Miles Davis>Lee Morgan>Freddie Hubbard>Dizzy Gillespie and then Chet Baker.” I would also add Chris Botti in this conversation…Botti's passion for the trumpet was ignited when he heard Davis play "My Funny Valentine" at age 12. I enjoy Botti’s work just as much as other guys on your list. |
I've never understood the fascination with Chet's singing. I liken it to Mick playing the guitar, or Paul Simon trying to act. Just stick to what you do best. IMHO. I like to listen to Chet when I just want to relax. I like Miles when I want to be somewhat challenged by the music. In a Silent Way is maybe my favourite MD. Never fails to completely pull me into the music. If you have not heard Chet's double CD Blue Room, which was released not that long ago, I highly recommend it. Previously unreleased studio recordings from his time in the Netherlands. Terrific recording quality. Both trumpet and voice in top form. Cheers. |
Of course, I like them both! (Surprise). But, as others have pointed out- listen to Clifford Brown. Sweet tone, expressive, feel, nuance, articulation. Control of his instrument. Many of his recordings are not great (like Monk's recordings) but, he played like a sweet, cool breeze on a hot summer day. |
As two others implied, really apples and oranges. Chet was the quintessential representative of theWest coast sound, and Miles (and Dizzy) was the leader of the East coast sound in the 50's. The two schools of jazz are so different they really stand on their own. BTW, Miles started on the West coast and actually played on stage with Chet. Look for album "Miles Davis and the Lighthouse All-stars" from 1953 in Hermosa Beach. Also, Chet was always very respectful of Miles, while Miles denigrated Chet. Miles publicly saying that Chet ripped off his sound, as strange as that sounds.... GAR |
I love Trumpet players. I think Chet was smooth and appealing but Miles was a musical force. Miles had a broader range of outstanding work and is one of the absolute greats. This should not mean that Chet was not special. In some ways, its kind of like comparing Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. I like them both, but Stevie would not have been Stevie without the presence and direction of Jimi Hendrix.... It was said before, its a preference but I celebrate all these artists. |
Both are able to bring me to tears - E.G, - Both playing the same tune, sort of same period //
Miles Quintet (Prestige)- Workin' - "It Never Entered my Mind" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Np8PJDGq_A
Chet Baker - "Chet" - It Never Entered my Mind" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXr1W-guLhM
Maybe - for me - the two best versions of this standard ever played, where each players' (in this case) souls are laid bare. I will take bot thanks :)
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