Gianni Marinucci

One of Melbourne's most accomplished trumpet/flugelhorn players, Gianni Marinucci has worked with a host of notable Australian artists, from James Morrison to Tony Gould, and has led his own groups ranging from a trio to a nonet (initially formed to play the arrangements from Miles Davis' 'Birth Of The Cool' album). He has always admired, and related to, the recordings of the late, great Chet Baker : in his view, "Chet was one of the great poets of the trumpet, and of jazz."

Trumpeter and singer, Chet Baker was the star of the West Coast jazz scene, centred around Los Angeles, in the mid 1950s. In particular, his work with saxophonist Gerry Mulligan saw him win a legion of fans, attracted by his hip trumpet playing, his intimate vocal style, and his youthful good looks. As Bruce Weber's documentary Let's Get Lost showed, Chet enjoyed a long career, but one marred by physical and legal problems caused by his long-term heroin addiction. In his last career phase, his physical deterioration was shocking, but he still had that ability to play like an angel.

In Born To Be Blue, Gianni Marinucci plays many of the jazz standards recorded by Chet Baker. He also sings (in a soft, almost-conversational style quite similar to Chet's) many of the songs associated with Chet, like 'My Funny Valentine' and 'Let's Get Lost'. Gianni will be joined by Paul Williamson (baritone, alto or tenor sax), Craig Fermanis (guitar), Tom Lee (bass) and Ronny Ferella (drums).