Nobody can play at the same level each days on drugs...
But he was used to it it seems and even with it he could play minimalistic with a power of speaking and singing expression most trumpet players not on drug can only be envious... 😊
I own 100 albums of Baker ...Save for few evident one he was professional and never played when he was unable to do his job...
The only artist in my own mind thinking of jazz i will compare his artistry is the singing expressive playing of Bill Evans who as Baker try to serve a song more than serving himself with the song ...
They are so great artist that i think of them more than trumpeter or pianist...poet i will say ...
My thesis is they are brothers from an unknown father ...😁
But nobody will believe me here ,,,
I had liked poetry all my life it tainted my musical preferences ...
I was listening 17 century folk song french and english at the radio canada emission under 5 years old each noon dining ... I was listening madrigals and Choral music at 16 when my friends invited me for the Beatles ... 😊
I begun to appreciate jazz when i begun to appreciate musicians for what they are i was old already near 35...
Before that i was mainly classical written choral music ...Bruckner revelation and scriabin revelation educated me and i goes on Persian and Indian ectasy till today with jazz from all countries because jazz is no more just an American language it is universal ...but jazz will never forget his black roots...
By the way the greatest book i read 4 years ago on acoustics and revolutionary was written by an African Acoustician Akpan J. Essien and specialist of the Yoruba speaking drums whose work contradicting Pythagoras was just proven right this year... I spoke about him in another thread ..
I speak too much but it can be useful i hope ...