Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Dean Gwyn Richards welcomes the audience during a celebration of life for David N. Baker at the IU Bloomington Musical Arts Center. Baker, who founded the Jacobs School of Music’s Jazz Studies Program, died in March 2016 at age 84.
IU President Michael A. McRobbie talks about David Baker and his life and legacy as a pioneering jazz educator. President McRobbie recalls arriving at IU Bloomington and having the privilege over the last two decades to come to know David as a colleague and friend.
The Student String Ensemble performs “Pastorale,” a 1959 composition by David Baker, during a celebration of Baker’s life. Baker began his career as a trombone player, but after a car accident injured his jaw and made it difficult to play his instrument he became a cellist.
Tom Walsh, the current chair of the jazz studies department, introduces the video about David Baker’s life.
Tom Walsh stands at the podium to watch the video as a young David Baker appears on the screen.
Indiana University alumnus Jamey Aebersold, a jazz musician and educator, talks about his friendship with David Baker.The Bloomington Trio comprised of Ilya Friedberg (piano), Hyewon Yang (violin) and Susan Moses (cello) bow after performing movements from David Baker’s piece “Roots II.”The University of California, Los Angeles Vice President for Education and Curriculum Development at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz J.B. Dyas speaks during the celebration of life for David Baker. Dyas contributed the chapter on Jazz Pedagogy to the biography, “David Baker–A Legacy in Music.”The Indiana University Faculty/Alumni Jazz Group performs “Harlem Pipes” by David Baker.John Edward Hasse, curator of American music at The Smithsonian Institution, talked about David Baker's influence on the museum’s jazz group. As a doctoral student at Indiana University, Hasse came under Baker's mentorship. Hasse founded the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra in 1990, which is when Baker became the group‘s first artistic and musical director—a role he remained in for more than 20 years until retiring.
The Jacobs School of Music Faculty/Student/Alumni Jazz Ensemble “IU Swing Machine” by David Baker.
Tom Walsh performs a saxophone solo as he plays “IU Swing Machine“ with the Jacobs School Faculty/Student/Alumni Jazz Ensemble.
Pat Harbison, an IU Jacobs School of Music professor of music, performs a trumpet solo during a performance of “IU Swing Machine” with the Jacobs School Faculty/Student/Alumni Jazz Ensemble.
The Musical Arts Center was filled for the evening honoring David Baker. Earlier in the day a panel discussion was held in the lobby of the Musical Arts Center. Baker’s daughter, April Ayers; his biographer, Monika Herzig; former student, Brent Wallarab; Luke Gillespie and several other former students talked about different aspects of Baker’s life and music.
