Whether it’s on tours with “Dreamgirls” or braving the studio sessions in Los Angeles, Paul Baker has more than earned his stripes as a composer, arranger, and saxophonist. In this episode, we dive into writing inclusively for young musicians without sacrificing excitement, the degrees of separation from jazz musicians across every scene, and a studio reading session where soundcheck turned into an etude audition. Watch the interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs
Bakers Dozen! It’s a small world, after all! You call this a drum part?!
Whether it’s on tours with “Dreamgirls” or braving the studio sessions in Los Angeles, Paul Baker has more than earned his stripes as a composer, arranger, and saxophonist. In this episode, we dive into writing inclusively for young musicians without sacrificing excitement, the degrees of separation from jazz musicians across every scene, and a studio reading session where soundcheck turned into an etude audition.
FEATURED RELEASE:
Steven Feifke Big Band
“Prologue” (2021)
Getting to Know: Paul!
Paul Baker has earned degrees from the University of North Texas, where he played in and wrote for the One O’Clock Lab Band, and the University of Southern California where he earned a Certificate in Film Music Composition.
Notable teachers include Pat Williams, Leon Breeden, Neil Slater, Jim Riggs, Dan Haerle, and Rich Matteson. Paul has also been a principal composer and arranger, as well as a member of the Dallas Jazz Orchestra and the Tony Campise Big Band writing such charts as “Quiet Time”, “Maxwell D. Cat”, “Bikini Beach”, and “Elise”.
While living in Los Angeles, Paul was a member of the Bill Watrous and Tom Kubis big bands (“Slightly Off The Ground” CD), amongst many others. Performance credits include tours with Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, and the Broadway Show “Dreamgirls”. Concert appearances include Ray Charles, Nancy Wilson, Jack Sheldon, and Kim Richmond.
Watch the interview on our YouTube channel here!