"The Cool NYC", by Barry Eitel is set in autumn, 1959. Chet's been rotting at Riker's Island for a month after being caught in Harlem copping heroin. Occurring at a rehearsal studio on the West side, the play features a pianist (Gregory Chen) who is more than enthused about his advance copy of Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue", a saxophonist (Aaron M. Johnson) who is the most blissed-out and hip of the group, a bassist (Kyle Colina) there for the paycheck, and a drummer (Ethan Kogan) holding it all down. The group is rehearsing for Chet's comeback show, but the sidemen are left in the dark regarding the status of Baker's cabaret card.
Performances were at the legendary venue Jimmy' #43 Back Room, with Jimmy Carbone himself making a cameo as Herb Luscious, Baker's agent.