Chet Baker: My Funny Valentine
Sunday is jazz day here at the Radio Faux Show. Today’s post continues my weekly Intro to Jazz concept. If you love jazz, I hope you find something of interest each Sunday. If you are scared of jazz or think that you hate it, I hope that I can open your mind enough to give this wonderful music another try.
As I discussed in my original Intro To Jazz Part 2 post on February 4, 2023, an introduction to jazz should start with an understanding of jazz standards. You can read that original post in total, but to summarize what I wrote then, jazz standards are tunes that have been performed by thousands of jazz artists for decades. Most importantly, with a few exceptions, no one version of these tunes is more familiar or important than the others. They are just different versions of tunes that most jazz musicians know and love. Today’s selection is “My Funny Valentine,” one of the most famous jazz standards. If you have the chance to go see live jazz, and especially if you are lucky enough to be able to go hang out at a weekly jam session in your town, you will hear this tune sooner or later. I’ve selected Chet Baker’s version as the song of the day, and I’ve included some other versions below to present the tune in different styles.
As a study in jazz, Chet Baker’s 1954 version is a great example of how to present a ballad simply but beautifully. There are no solos in this recording, and Baker doesn’t even display his trademark soft trumpet sound. Instead, the rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) comps sparsely under his gorgeous vocals. The piano is especially well-performed – never grabbing the spotlight, but always playing off of Baker’s vocals to provide an interesting dialogue.
Here are some other versions of the tune: Sarah Vaughan presents a more soulful vocal version, Miles Davis provides a classic instrumental version, and Chaka Khan belts it out like only she can do.
To listen to all of the songs of the day, check out the Radio Faux Show Song of the Day playlist.
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Marvelous song! Had never heard the Chaka Khan version. You introduce me to so much! 🙂
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We didn’t know the Chaka Khan version either! That is a unique interpretation for sure!
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I’m glad I found this! I actually do love jazz (and a lot of other genres), but my brain is a sieve when it comes to anything remotely resembling theory, so your posts will be helpful.
I definitely lean toward bebop, and I kind of worship Coltrane (wasn’t there a “Church of Coltrane” at some point?), and my favorite album so far is Kind of Blue. As a wannabe drummer, I’m also blown away by Art Blakey and Elvin Jones (I actually sort of knew the latter’s pianist brother, Hank, when I was a little kid).
But I also love Chet Baker’s distinctive sound (and his beautiful face when he was young 🙂 ). Have you seen Let’s Get Lost?
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First of all, too cool that you met Hank Jones!
I hope you find my jazz posts interesting, so thanks for dropping by!
Kind of Blue is a classic so you are not alone in that sentiment.
I’m a big Chet Baker fan as well, especially his vocal tunes.
Stay cool!
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Yes on Hank Jones–I was probably about six, and he used to come to our apartment in Manhattan to pick up his sister-in-law, who took care of me while my mom (single and trying to be a female lawyer in NYC in the mid-’60’s) worked. She was like my Other Mother. I used to put on my silly sequined ballerina costume and dance while Hank clapped his hands in time, very patiently :). I just remember him as a very kind man, but I had no idea about his musical heritage until much later!
Kind of Blue isn’t exactly the most original jazz albums to choose as a favorite, but it’s so damn good. I also love Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme.”
But, as I said, I love many different kinds of music (although I agree with you about the current Swift-y kind of stuff)–from Beethoven to the Ramones to all good, authentic music (and I’m blessed to have a son who’s actually a gifted musician, and who learned theory as easily as he learned to breathe, somehow!).
Anyway, I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts. I think I might learn some things!
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Now I feel pressure! LOL.
I try to present stuff that isn’t as well known.
That is wonderful about your son. Music is a blessing.
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