Oklahoma Musicians

Jazz history

Chesney Henry (“Chet”) Baker, Jr.

Library of Congress finding-aid and Music Division sources identify Chet Baker as a native Oklahoman, born Chesney Henry Baker in Yale, Oklahoma, and document Army-band service and his later jazz-trumpet and vocal career.

County navigation follows places named in the source records. A city crossing county boundaries can link to more than one county; this does not establish an exact historical location, birthplace or current residence.

Oklahoma connection

LOC identifies Yale, Oklahoma, as Baker's birthplace.

Musical work and relationships

Jazz trumpeter and vocalist; Army band service; later recording and touring career.

Hall of Fame account

The Hall catalog lists Chesney Henry (Chet) Baker, Jr. as a trumpeter and vocalist inducted in 1991.

Evidence and remaining questions

The catalog's Jr. suffix and the LOC finding aid's shorter name form should be retained as an identity-normalization note, not treated as two people.

Sources

  1. findingaids.loc.gov/repositories/15/resources/1475
  2. blogs.loc.gov/music/2020/05/chet-baker-heart-and-soul/
  3. www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry
  4. www.okjazz.org/inductees/