Jazz tribute to the prince of cool

LOCAL jazz guitarist Simon Wigney will make up one third of a musical trio set to deliver a tribute concert to jazz musician Chet Baker this weekend.

Wigney, who has lived in Bendigo for 30 years and regularly plays for jazz bands throughout Central Victoria, said the tribute is an opportunity for country audiences to hear the music of Chet Baker.

“In Melbourne there’s lots of opportunities, but the market for it is probably limited in Central Victoria so I’m really hoping that people will come along and listen to it because it will be well worth it,” he said.

Trumpet player Gianni Marinucci will lead the trio, which also includes double bassist Ben Gibbons.

Wigney said the repertoire will cover every stage of Chet Baker’s career and would include some of the musician’s vocal numbers as well.

“Gianni’s a great singer, so it sort of covers Chet’s career right through the whole spectrum of everything he did,” Wigney said.

Although Wigney said he favours the recordings Baker made later in life, the tribute show would include the musicians more popular early songs.

“He’s most famous for his early stuff where he’s signing My funny valentine and I’ve never been in love before, both of which we’re doing on the night.

“You sort of can’t do a Chet Baker thing without doing that because a lot of people know him for those very romantic vocal numbers he did in the late 50s,” he said.

The celebration of Chet Baker will take place in the Coolroom at the Northern Arts Hotel in Castlemaine this Saturday 7 October at 7.30pm and tickets available from Eventbrite.