Loose Cuts
Chet Baker Quartet
- Composer
- Ravel
- Released
- 1953
- Label
- Pacific Jazz
- Forces
- trumpet; quartet
Ravel’s stately Pavane had already become the popular song “The Lamp Is Low” in 1939, but Baker and pianist Russ Freeman discard the words and race through it at roughly 226 beats per minute. The performance comes from the first flush of Baker’s solo fame, when his dark, lyrical trumpet sound was being tested against the quick reflexes of a new quartet.
Hear both
The classical side carries the source work this cut came from. The jazz side carries the cut itself. Each player holds what is available, and the two need not match.
The originalsRavel: Pavane pour une infante défunte
Jazzed upThe Lamp Is Low
Open track in Spotify
Spotify’s player is here for convenience; the cut remains listed below for everyone.
The cut
The classical-derived cut from this record, with its source work.
- The Lamp Is LowRavel: Pavane pour une infante défunte