[TPIN] Chet Baker and the Army

[Vaxtrpts at aol.com]

I hate  to be a mythbuster,  but I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that
Chet  Baker once served in an Army band. That means with certainty he had
to be  able to read music.

Mike Terry



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This brings to mind a story of how Chet got his dishonorable discharge from  
the Army.  I have heard this story a few times from people who should know,  
but I can't say for sure that it is the exact truth.  He was stationed at  the 
Presidio in San Francisco, I believe.
There was a rotation of the trumpet players in the band, so that they took  
turns playing "To the Colors" for the morning flag raising.  Chet had done  
this many times before, and finally snapped one day.  When it came time for  him 
to play the bugle call that fateful day, instead he played "All the Things  
You Are."  That was enough for the Army!
Whether it is completely true or not, it is sure a great story, and a  really 
"good feeling" for any trumpet players who served in the military and had  
the same types of duty.
Mike Vax