Summer ’24

It’s been too long since I added videos at my YouTube channel youtube.com/lesliebaker

So I got to work behind the computer and hunckered down to put more of my music online for you all to enjoy, share, comment, like etc.

I am booking live events for my band. That’s been going great!

The one and only Barbara Morrison (RIP) is the star of this video. We were very close & I loved being near her.

Always great to be with Albert Trepagnier Jr. from New Orleans on drums!!

From my CD Askew Too I’ve digitized my original song “Rain Dance” and given it a new use @YouTube.com/lesliebaker

Thanks to Kevin Rhoades @backrhoadesproductions.com for creating the concert event Leslie Baker Quartet at the Sherry in noho

With drummer extraordinaire, my soul brother Ken Park!!

To round out this post I’m including a video of another original song of mine. This one includes group vocals including my singing & bass playing. This is the one we can perform at live events….

Leslie Baker Trio/Band

The people I’m connecting with can lead to ???? I’ll keep you somewhat posted here as best I can. Thanks for stopping by the website…..

Here’s a link to hear my music. No synthesizers or computers were harmed in the production of this music.

Up & Running (walking) from 2022 into 2023…..

Little by little the schedule keeps getting more filled in and interesting.

I surprise myself over how much I truly love to perform music live!

Urban Press Winery in Burbank CA is turning into a fun spot I make appearances at…

Leslie Baker Trio with John Balbuena & Ken Park @ Urban Press Winery, Burbank CA

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And that was just over a year ago…

Shaking off the dust somehow preparing for who knows what?!

Like I said, making gigs with talented people I like has so lifted my spirit.

My Hollywood Hang

“Don’t know what you got ’til it gone” Thankfully the school program sponsored by Los Angeles Jazz Society & others sailed once again in 2023 after a no go in 2021 & 2022.

Memories of NAMM show mostly right before Covid & the New Years Eve gig that took us into 2020

There’s a lot more going on. This is a taste. I’m feeling stronger, grateful, writing new original music, lots of exploring musical directions…& a bunch of real cool gigs!!

#lesliebakerbass #bakerbass

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.

My blogging is Infrequent

James leads the charge Bassed

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At the World Stage with James Leary’s Bass Choir

I have a better than before website thanks to help from Paul and Neva Chevalier.

Plus I have been doing a lot of music work which I love.  To contribute to the sound from the bottom of it all is a special pleasure for me especially with musicians I relate to and who appreciate what I bring.

Now for me to make my website even better I need to blog a little more often.  That’s how this WordPress deal rolls.  On the pages of the site are lots of cool more “permanent things” for you who want to go into it.  I think the blog comes up first in a lot of formats so I’ll do what I can to inform you more often of my current musical activities. So here goes!

This coming Saturday evening October 14, 2017 I will perform special arrangements of Thelonius Monk music arranged by James Leary for his Bass Choir—5 acoustic basses and Clayton Cameron on drums.  We’ll be at the World Stage at 8:00 pm as part of the tenth annual Angel City Jazz Festival celebrating Monk’s centennial.  This performance is part of World Music Days,  an organization founded  by Daniel Pearl’s parents  to promote peace through music.  Harmony for Humanity is their slogan.  October is the month of Daniel Pearl’s birthday so World Music Days celebrate his memory during the month of October.  Daniel Pearl grew up in Encino.  He was a reporter for the Wall Street Journal and he also played violin jamming with people he met all over the world on his journalist assignments.  He was executed by terrorists in 2002.  There was a movie made about him (Angelina Jolie).  In his memory any performers who wish to acknowledge him are invited to do so during October.

I look forward to performing this season with the Cal Tech Symphony at the Ramo Auditorium on the Cal Tech campus in Pasadena CA under the direction of conductor Dr. Allen R. Gross.  Our upcoming concert is scheduled for matinees on November 18 (2:30 pm) and November 19 (3:30 pm).  These are open to the public at no charge.

I have currently released an album of songs entitled “Good Vibes” recorded and produced by my team. The music is available to hear online (at this website).  Specially packaged physical copies are available in limited supply.  The music is all done by three people, myself, Tyler Combs and Ken Park pretty much first takes–a “live in the studio” concept recorded and mixed by Paul Chevalier.

Thank you to all the band leaders who give me a great variety of things to do, please continue!  My calendar at the website will let you know how the dates are happening.  In addition thanks to all the fans and friends who support my endeavors.   The beat goes on……..

 

 

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!