In 1966, Baker was severely beaten (allegedly while attempting to buy drugs) after a gig in San Francisco, sustaining severe cuts on the lips and broken front teeth, which ruined his embouchure. Accounts of the incident vary, largely because of Baker's lack of reliable testimony on the matter. It has also been suggested that the story is a fabrication altogether, and that Baker's teeth had just rotted due to heavy substance abuse—two missing teeth can clearly be seen in a 1964 performance in Belgium, Chet Baker: Live in 64 and 79. From that time he had to learn to play with dentures.
Between 1966 and 1974, Baker mostly played flugelhorn and recorded music that could mostly be classified as early smooth jazz or mood music.
He died in 1988 in Amsterdam.
Honors
* In 1987, inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame.
* 1989: elected to Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame by that magazine's Critics Poll
* In 2005 Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry and the Oklahoma House of Representatives proclaimed July 2, 2005 as “Chet Baker Day”.
* A group of Musicians from Northern Norway performed 'Chet Baker Tribute' at the Jazz Utsav in Bandra, Mumbai.
* Wordpress 2.8 version, released on June 10, 2009 has been called "Baker" in honor of the trumpeter.
Daybreak
Chet Baker Quartet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The mist on the meadow is drifting away
'cause it's daybreak, the sun's in the sky now
And flowers break through their blanket of dew
Sunrise, how lovely it seems
To see from my window a sky full of dreams
As the white clouds sail on to the blue
Sunrise, how lovely it seems
To see from my window a sky full of dreams
As the white clouds sail on to the blue
At daybreak, I daydream of you
The lyrics of Chet Baker Quartet's song, "Daybreak," depict the beauty and serenity of a new day beginning. The opening line, "Daybreak, another new day," sets the mood for the rest of the song. The singer observes the mist on the meadow drifting away as the sun rises in the sky. The arrival of the sun brings life to the world around them as flowers break through their blanket of dew. The second verse largely departs from the natural landscape imagery and instead focuses on the singer's emotions. They describe the sunrise from their window, noting how lovely it seems. They watch the white clouds sailing across the blue sky and daydream of someone special.
The song's gentle melody and Baker's smooth, subdued trumpet playing enhance the song's reflective nature. The lyrics are simplistic yet effective in conveying a sense of peacefulness and tranquility. The song is not particularly groundbreaking or revolutionary but is a comforting, easy listen that captures the beauty of a new day starting.
Line by Line Meaning
Daybreak, another new day
A fresh new day emerges as the sun rises on the horizon at dawn
The mist on the meadow is drifting away
The fog in the field dissipates into the air as the morning light shines through
'cause it's daybreak, the sun's in the sky now
The sun is now visible in the sky and is the reason for the new daylight
And flowers break through their blanket of dew
New flowers start to bloom and grow as the dew from the night evaporates
Sunrise, how lovely it seems
The sight of the sunrise is incredibly beautiful and uplifting
To see from my window a sky full of dreams
Looking out the window at the colorful and vivid sky gives a sense of hope and inspiration
As the white clouds sail on to the blue
The pure white clouds gently move across the bright blue sky, painting a serene picture
At daybreak, I daydream of you
During this peaceful moment of new beginnings, I think of someone special and beloved
Contributed by Wyatt P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.