Variety keeps it Spicy

I enjoy making music in many flavors.  Let me know when I can make some for you.

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All by myself, I’m beginning to see the light….
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Cello Sonata on Bass 6-5-18

 

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Something’s Coming
Leslie bandleader for event honoring the fantastic Carol Kaye
Caltech Orchestra Basses
A party jam with Kim Richmond and Milton Nelson
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Thanks Gordon for giving me a bass spot on Sunset Strip
Jazz in the Schools Bakerbass
LAJS Jazz in Schools
Dr. Bobby Rodriguez Band
New Orleans in the House
Blues Hurricane blowin’ with me and Dena

Bass is bass, acoustic or electric, I love it and it keeps me busy.  How thankful I am for all of that!!

All photos by Joe Weinroth except where otherwise noted.

Up and running with Jazz in Schools!

Today the band, under the direction of trumpeter/educator Dr. Bobby Rodriguez, brings live jazz music and education to grammar school kids all over Los Angeles.

We are sponsored by the Los Angeles Jazz Society, Musicians Performance Trust Fund, Herb Alpert Foundation and Cultural Affairs of Los Angeles.  We have several more concerts coming up this month along with 2 other bands in celebration of Black History Month.

Here’s a picture from last year:

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Jazz in Schools! 2016

And the year before:

Jazz in Schools! 2015

Mark Christian Miller, Maria Martinez, Dr. Bobby Rodriguez, Leslie Baker, Oscar Hernandez

A little media buzz/exciting times

I got a good review when I least expected it. The gig was with Jimmy McConnell Quintet at the Valley Jazz Club. “Leslie Baker played a unique compact “traveling bass” with surprising full, rich sound proving it’s value to the band with her very active playing, showing off her skills as both a motivated supportive and feature player” Harvey Barkan  Los Angeles Jazz Scene newspaper September 2016.

Leslie jamming on her upright electric bass by BSX
Leslie jamming on her upright electric bass by BSX

Bobby “Hurricane” Spencer and the Blues Allstars which includes me on bass, Albert Trepangnier from New Orleans on drums, Tadj Galleran on keyboard, George Van Wagner on guitar and Tyler Combs on vibes has a couple of videos out that are breaking my personal records for worldwide views.

I Got The Blues Soulful and sensual! — with Tyler CombsLeslie BakerTadg GalleranBobby Spencer and Albert Trepagnier Jr.

Hangin’ with a dear friend and great drummer.

As of now our video “I Got the Blues” has over 112K views since it’s release September 18, 2016. Pretty exciting.  The same band with front vocalist Kelly Chappue on “Bad When I’m Good” (released Sept. 18) reached over 25K views!

I will update you as things go. Check it out! I put on my red dress baby…..I’ve been compared to a character in the Hobbit (in a red dress) in a comment at facebook.

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Things are bubbling up for Marissa Gomez and the Ghosts of Echo Park

Recent sightings at Clifton’s Cafeteria DTLA, LA Live and other spots in the works in and around Downtown and Hollywood. I’ve been floating among the ghosts with my friend pianist Chris Glik.

We have fun!

October 12, 2016  

Le Petit Paris

418 s spring street

Downtown L.A.90013

 

Marissa is a wonderful singer and songwriter. I'm glad she thinks my bass playing is sassy.
Marissa is a wonderful singer and songwriter. I’m glad she thinks my bass playing is sassy.

And now for the most exciting thing coming up soon is the debut of my Chamber Music Group.  Our performance date is Oct. 9, 2016 2:30 – 3:30 PM at the Donald Wright Auditorium in the Pasadena Central Library on Walnut

There is no charge for this performance.  We will be recording live.  Our presentation is very much a crossover of Jazz and Classical.  We will be performing Claude Bolling Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio in it’s entirety (7 movements) and a few additional pieces to round out the program.  This is under the auspices of Tuesday Musicale.  The fabulous musicians who will join me for this new adventure are Flutist Ruth Kasckow, Drummer Kenny Park and pianists Chris Glik and Alan Geier .  It is a lovely place with parking and additional parking if lots fill also at no charge. It is my sincere hope to fill the room with friends, fans and interested parties on that Sunday afternoon October 9 in Pasadena!

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Leslie Baker and Friends Jazz Classical Fusion
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Leslie Baker and Friends at Pasadena Central Library 10-9-2016

My own review of the debut performance Leslie Baker and Friends…..I am very pleased with how we played together and so grateful for the wonderful audience who gave us a standing ovation. Also big thanks to the organization Tuesday Musicale who in concert with the Pasadena Public Library sponsored the concert.  We  have recordings.  More news on that later.

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Joining Tuesday Musicale in Pasadena CA

Leslie Baker and Friends, the chamber group has come up with a new name for the group.

As of 2017 we go under the name of Transcendence!

Another exciting week end in July 9 & 10 , 2016

Lotus Festival this Week End! Leslie Baker and Friends perform Sunday 1:30 PM

36th Lotus Festival

If you want to see us, don’t be late….it’s a short set. We are surrounded by dancers.

Saturday from 6-9 PM I return to play in Lisa Casalino’s Jazz Band on the Westside, at the Grove near Nordstrom

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Thanks Joe Weinroth for the photo
Lisa and Leslie making music
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Jazz Singer Lisa Casalino

SUMMER!

So we’re hot! I’m doing what I can to not get bothered…..Full moon, Solstice, Fire’s, Father’s Day.  Summer events and performances are rolling along.

Here’s what Father’s Day looked like for me as I enjoyed being the bass player for the Dale Fielder Quartet at Whisky Red’s Marina Del Rey, CA

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Delicious

The Band Plays on the Patio, Bass and Drums under a Gazebo

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Dale Fielder and Rick Olsen
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Don Littleton

Don and Leslie workin' a selfie!

On this very hot day the ocean breeze made things nice.

Fisherman's Village View

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A lovely day

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Fisherman's Village Viewbakerbass

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The biggest boat I’ve seen in this bay
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Used to be Shanghai Red’s

roasted pig

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The Venue

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Bandleader Dale Fielder enjoying brunch after playing his heart and soul at Whiskey Red’s

This coming Saturday, 6/27/16 I will be with Lisa Casalino’s Band at the Grove, 3rd and Fairfax in front of Nordstrom from 6-9 An evening of fun, free for the public performance.  It is always nice to see friends and fans at these shows.

We had a great time with Lisa and the band was definitely cooking with Ark Sano on keyboard and Dustin Haner on drums!!

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Songbird Lisa Casalino leads her band.
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Thanks Joe Weinroth for the photo
Lisa and Leslie making music.

July 4th I’ll be at Lacy Park in San Marino with the Tom Sullivan Band. We are part of a line up of bands followed by fireworks-big ones up close!  Reservations and tickets required:

http://www.ci.san-marino.ca.us/Calendar.aspx?EID=1237

Happy 4th of July Weekend!  Lots of bands, a parade—very Americana as I get to contribute to the festivities performing with Tom Sullivan’s Dixieland Band. We are being joined by a choir for our closing selection “Amazing Grace”. Tickets available- check Lacy Park, San Marino CA

And of course that is not all, just all for now…..stay tuned

LAJS Jazz in Schools Program 2016

With the new year comes another chance to give grammar school concerts all over L.A. that teach about Jazz.  I am very happy to once again participate in this program with bandleader Dr. Bobby Rodriguez and his very talented band.  If you would like to observe a concert, contact me at bakerbass@mac.com to arrange for a guest pass.

We continue to bring Jazz music and history to young ones
We continue to bring Jazz music and history to young ones. Thanks to our sponsors, LAJS, Herb Alpert Foundation, MPTF. Photo Joe Weinroth
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Photo Greg Lloyd
backstage, photo Greg LLoyd
Photo Greg Lloyd
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Recognition from the City of Angels for our work in schools. Photo Joe Weinroth
lajs 2016
Photo Greg Lloyd
Leslie Baker Bass
Maria Martinez, Darrick Edmondson, Bobby Rodriguez, Leslie, Oscar Hernandez. Photo: Greg Lloyd
Mark XX, Maria Martinez, Bobby Rodriguez, Leslie, Oscar Hernandez. Photo: Greg Lloyd
Mark Miller, Maria Martinez, Bobby Rodriguez, Leslie, Oscar Hernandez. Photo: Greg Lloyd
Bobby Rodriguez, Maria Martinez, Leslie. Photo: Greg Lloyd
Bobby Rodriguez, Maria Martinez, Leslie. Photo: Greg Lloyd