The Prince of Cool is Born, in This Week’s Open Thread

On this day in 1929, Chesney Henry “Chet” Baker Jr., an American jazz trumpeter and vocalist, is born. He is known for major innovations in cool jazz that led him to be nicknamed the “Prince of Cool”. Baker earned much attention and critical praise through the 1950s, particularly for albums featuring his vocals: Chet Baker Sings and It Could Happen to You. Jazz historian Dave Gelly described the promise of Baker’s early career as “James Dean, Sinatra, and Bix, rolled into one.” His well-publicized drug habit also drove his notoriety and fame.