Deep In A Dream – The Life And Music Of Chet Baker

During September, in Berkeley, San Francisco and Chicago, I will be joining with some of my favorite artists and the author himself to celebrate in spoken word and music Deep In a Dream, James Gavin's biography of jazz giant Chet Baker

James Gavin, a contributing writer to the New York Times since 1992, has been published in Vanity Fair, New York Magazine, TV Guide, JazzTimes, Town & Country, and other periodicals. His new book (his second) went into its second printing in its first five weeks. It has been covered in the London Times, the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, the Wall Street Journal, and numerous other publications.

James Gavin has been interviewed on NPR a dozen times, including by Terry Gross, and will do his fifth interview for the BBC this month. The European printing of "Deep In a Dream" will appear in October. James Gavin has been featured on television from Coast to Coast, as well as over one hundred newspaper reviews in support of Deep In a Dream. He has written liner notes for over 300 albums, including Ella Fitzgerald: The Legendary Decca Recordings, which won Gavin a Grammy nomination in 1996.

Joel Selvin of the San Francisco Chronicle says of the new book: "Immediately engaging … finely crafted … savagely honest … impeccably researched. Elegantly written." The book has already been optioned by Columbia Pictures, and Jim Carrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Dillon and Josh Hartnett have all expressed interest in portraying Chet Baker in the movie version.

THE JAZZSCHOOL

General admission, $20: Students and seniors, $15. Seating is limited and is on a first-come, first served basis. Reservations, strongly advised: 510-845-5373.

James Gavin and Spider Saloff's Jazz Trio present the life of legendary trumpeter Chet Baker through music and spoken word.

James Gavin, Spider Saloff, Julie Wilson and Holt McCallany present the life of legendary trumpeter Chet Baker through music, film and spoken word.

THE CASTRO THEATRE

General admission, $25
Event and reception following, $50
Tickets available at the theater, or through Ticketweb, www.ticketweb.com

The sounds of cool jazz and a US film premiere arrive at the Castro Theater in San Francisco for one evening, Friday September 13, at 8:00 PM. The life and music of legendary trumpeter Chet Baker, who was as well known for his contributions to music and physical beauty as the various addictions from which he suffered, will be presented with a live concert of his music interwoven with passages from the new biography of the artist Deep In a Dream: The Long Night of Chet Baker by New York writer, James Gavin. Gavin has also produced a companion CD by the same title for Blue Note Records.

The event, Deep In a Dream – the Life and Music of Chet Baker is a two-set performance piece, and includes readings of passages from the new biography, interwoven with live music well associated with the talented yet troubled Baker, who died a mysterious death on a street in Amsterdam in 1988. A reception with the author and performers will follow the event.

The film, Chet's Romance will have its United States premiere at the Castro Theater. Filmed in autumn of 1987 by French filmmaker Bertrand Fèvre, ,i>Chet's Romance was filmed in Paris and won the César (the French Oscar) for Best Short. The 10-minute film features Baker in one of his final performances and is a moving vocal account of the tragic music icon.

The readings from the biography will be presented by New York nightclub legend Julie Wilson and film/television heartthrob/actor Holt McCallany, who will join James Gavin and Chicago jazz vocalist Spider Saloff on-stage for the event.

Award-winning jazz vocalist returns to San Francisco from Chicago to perform live on stage for the two-set concert. Saloff will be accompanied by pianist Ken Muir, trumpeter John Copabianco, and Al Obindinski on bass. Obindinski performed with Baker in the 1950s and 1970s. The stellar arrangements are by Dennis Luxion, Baker's pianist in the 1980s.

THE GREEN MILL

General admission, $5 cover at the door.

Seating is limited and is on a first-come, first served basis.

Author James Gavin with Spider Saloff and the Dennis Luxion Jazz Quartet present the life of legendary trumpeter Chet Baker through music and spoken word. Featuring Art Davis, Kelly Sill, and Phil Gratteau.

A special jazz event arrives at the legendary Green Mill for one night only, Wednesday, September 18, at 9:00 PM. The life of legendary trumpeter Chet Baker (who was as well known for his physical beauty and his contributions to jazz as he was for the various addictions from which he suffered) will be presented through a live concert of his music. Deep In a Dream: The Long Night of Chet Baker, by New York writer James Gavin, was recently published by Knopf. Gavin has also produced a companion CD by the same title for Blue Note Records.