Kenny Baker (trumpeter)
Encyclopedia
Kenny Baker was born on 1 March 1921 in Withernsea
, East Riding of Yorkshire
and died 7 December 1999. He was an accomplished player of jazz trumpet, cornet and flugelhorn, and a composer.
, in Yorkshire's East Riding, for London
, he met and began performing with the already well-known jazz musician George Chisholm
. While serving in the RAF
during World War II
, Baker was called up to do forces programmes.
Baker was first heard on record in a British public jam session in 1941 and quickly established a strong reputation in London clubs. He was brass band trained and had faultless technical command. The young Baker was lead trumpeter with Ted Heath
's post war orchestra with such tours de force as 'Bakerloo Non-Stop' recorded for the Decca
record label in 1946 and still well remembered with a tenor saxophone solo from Johnny Gray, the piece becomes an exciting feature for both Baker and drummer Jack Parnell
. In the 1950s Kenny led his own group called Baker's Dozen for which he played lead and solos and wrote the library. With this group he performed on the first regular jazz show on British radio, the BBC Light Programme
series 'Let's Settle For Music'.
By the 1950s he was regularly performing in studios but his numerous jazz recordings (with a quartet for Parlophone and groups of all kinds for Nixa and others) are considered world-class, a confident replay of Bunny Berigan
without the errors and range to spare. So good was Baker that when the Musicians' Union were trying to justify their ban on American players working in Britain, they were able to ask, "While we have Kenny Baker who needs Louis?". (Quote from BBC News). In the 1960s and 1970s he was still on call for film and studio work. He often appeared on BBC radio's 'Sounds of Jazz' programme introduced by Peter Clayton
in the 1970s with recordings made at the Maida Vale
studios in London
and broadcast late on Sunday evenings.
A famous appearance on soundtrack for Baker was a long hot trumpet solo mimed by Kay Kendall
in the famous 1954 film called 'Genevieve'. He regularly emerged to play at jazz clubs often with co-trumpeter John McLevey. Baker's skills brought him wider prominence, starting in 1955 when he appeared at Blackpool with the up-and-coming comic pair of Morecambe and Wise
. He also went on to share top billings with other big comedy variety acts of the day, such as Tommy Trinder
, Benny Hill
and Ken Dodd
. Appearing on the BBC's Big Band Special in 1962, leading British jazzman John Dankworth
said, "Everybody regarded him on a different level to any other trumpeter in the British Isles. He was a world class performer."
He formed the 'Best of British Jazz' which was a show with Don Lusher
and Betty Smith
. This group toured regularly in 1976 and after the death of Harry James
in 1983, he was asked by the James Foundation to take over their orchestra. A small 'fighting cock' of a man (he once elbowed Benny Goodman
out of the way for persistently mis-judging the tempo of a Baker feature on British concerts) he was a world-class lead trumpeter, solo performer and improviser.
His career saw him play with the likes of Frank Sinatra
,Petula Clark, Sammy Davis, Jr.
and Tony Bennett
. He also performed on James Bond soundtracks and with The Beatles. In addition to this, he was also heard on hundreds of TV programmes including The Muppet Show
, through his involvement with the Jack Parnell
Orchestra, which played for the now-defunct ATV
company.
In 1962 he recorded a light jazz set with Petula Clark at the Pye Studios at Great Cumberland Place live and late at night with 'the Kenny Baker Trio' . This has now become a classic set and has regularly been re-issued on CD. This set is entitled 'IN OTHER WORDS ...PETULA CLARK'
In the 1980s he provided the music for The Beiderbecke Trilogy
, starring James Bolam
.
His famous group, 'Baker's Dozen' reformed in 1993 for four sell-out nights at Ronnie Scott
's in Birmingham
.
He was presented with the best trumpet player title for the third time at the BT British jazz awards in 1999. He was also awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 1999.
He died in a hospital close to his home at Felpham
, West Sussex
at the age of 78 after suffering from a viral infection for more than three weeks. He is survived by his third wife Sue and daughter Julie. People have said of Baker that 'He was to jazz what the Rolling Stones are to rock music'.
Jim Simpson, head of Big Bear Music Agency, which handled Baker's career, said, "It's not just the passing of good man and a wonderful musician, it's the end of an era musically."
Withernsea
Withernsea is a seaside resort town and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, and forms the focal point for a wider community of small villages in Holderness. Its most famous landmark is the white inland lighthouse, rising around above Hull Road...
, East Riding of Yorkshire
East Riding of Yorkshire
The East Riding of Yorkshire, or simply East Yorkshire, is a local government district with unitary authority status, and a ceremonial county of England. For ceremonial purposes the county also includes the city of Kingston upon Hull, which is a separate unitary authority...
and died 7 December 1999. He was an accomplished player of jazz trumpet, cornet and flugelhorn, and a composer.
Biography
Baker joined a brass band and by the age of 17 and had already become a professional musician. After leaving his home town of WithernseaWithernsea
Withernsea is a seaside resort town and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, and forms the focal point for a wider community of small villages in Holderness. Its most famous landmark is the white inland lighthouse, rising around above Hull Road...
, in Yorkshire's East Riding, for London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, he met and began performing with the already well-known jazz musician George Chisholm
George Chisholm (musician)
George Chisholm OBE was a Scottish jazz trombonist.Born in Glasgow to a family of musicians, Chisholm's musical career began in the Glasgow Playhouse orchestra. In the late 1930s he moved to London, where he played in dance bands led by Bert Ambrose and Teddy Joyce...
. While serving in the RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Baker was called up to do forces programmes.
Baker was first heard on record in a British public jam session in 1941 and quickly established a strong reputation in London clubs. He was brass band trained and had faultless technical command. The young Baker was lead trumpeter with Ted Heath
Ted Heath (bandleader)
Ted Heath, musician and big band leader, led Britain's greatest post-war big band recording more than 100 albums and selling over 20 million records...
's post war orchestra with such tours de force as 'Bakerloo Non-Stop' recorded for the Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
record label in 1946 and still well remembered with a tenor saxophone solo from Johnny Gray, the piece becomes an exciting feature for both Baker and drummer Jack Parnell
Jack Parnell
John Russell Parnell was an English bandleader and musician.-Biography:Parnell was born into a theatrical family in London....
. In the 1950s Kenny led his own group called Baker's Dozen for which he played lead and solos and wrote the library. With this group he performed on the first regular jazz show on British radio, the BBC Light Programme
BBC Light Programme
The Light Programme was a BBC radio station which broadcast mainstream light entertainment and music from 1945 until 1967, when it was rebranded as BBC Radio 2...
series 'Let's Settle For Music'.
By the 1950s he was regularly performing in studios but his numerous jazz recordings (with a quartet for Parlophone and groups of all kinds for Nixa and others) are considered world-class, a confident replay of Bunny Berigan
Bunny Berigan
Rowland Bernard "Bunny" Berigan was an American jazz trumpeter who rose to fame during the swing era, but whose virtuosity and influence were shortened by a losing battle with alcoholism that ended in his early death at age 33. He composed the jazz instrumentals "Chicken and Waffles" and "Blues"...
without the errors and range to spare. So good was Baker that when the Musicians' Union were trying to justify their ban on American players working in Britain, they were able to ask, "While we have Kenny Baker who needs Louis?". (Quote from BBC News). In the 1960s and 1970s he was still on call for film and studio work. He often appeared on BBC radio's 'Sounds of Jazz' programme introduced by Peter Clayton
Peter Clayton
Peter Clayton was an English music broadcaster and writer, best known for presenting jazz and easy listening music programmes on BBC Radio 1 and 2....
in the 1970s with recordings made at the Maida Vale
Maida Vale
Maida Vale is a residential district in West London between St John's Wood and Kilburn. It is part of the City of Westminster. The area is mostly residential, and mainly affluent, consisting of many large late Victorian and Edwardian blocks of mansion flats...
studios in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and broadcast late on Sunday evenings.
A famous appearance on soundtrack for Baker was a long hot trumpet solo mimed by Kay Kendall
Kay Kendall
Kay Kendall was an English actress.Kendall began her film career in the 1946 musical London Town. Though the film was a financial failure, Kendall continued to work regularly until her appearance in the comedy Genevieve brought her widespread recognition...
in the famous 1954 film called 'Genevieve'. He regularly emerged to play at jazz clubs often with co-trumpeter John McLevey. Baker's skills brought him wider prominence, starting in 1955 when he appeared at Blackpool with the up-and-coming comic pair of Morecambe and Wise
Morecambe and Wise
Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, usually referred to as Morecambe and Wise, or Eric and Ernie, were a British comic double act, working in variety, radio, film and most successfully in television. Their partnership lasted from 1941 until Morecambe's death in 1984...
. He also went on to share top billings with other big comedy variety acts of the day, such as Tommy Trinder
Tommy Trinder
Thomas Edward Trinder CBE known as Tommy Trinder, was an English stage, screen and radio comedian of the pre and post war years whose catchphrase was 'You lucky people'.-Life:...
, Benny Hill
Benny Hill
Benny Hill was an English comedian and actor, notable for his long-running television programme The Benny Hill Show.-Early life:...
and Ken Dodd
Ken Dodd
Kenneth Arthur Dodd OBE is a British comedian and singer songwriter, famous for his frizzy hair or “fluff dom” and buck teeth or “denchers”, his favourite cleaner, the feather duster and his greeting "How tickled I am!", as well as his send-off “Lots and Lots of Happiness!”...
. Appearing on the BBC's Big Band Special in 1962, leading British jazzman John Dankworth
John Dankworth
Sir John Phillip William Dankworth, CBE , known in his early career as Johnny Dankworth, was an English jazz composer, saxophonist and clarinetist...
said, "Everybody regarded him on a different level to any other trumpeter in the British Isles. He was a world class performer."
He formed the 'Best of British Jazz' which was a show with Don Lusher
Don Lusher
Don Lusher OBE was a jazz and big band trombonist best known for his association with the Ted Heath Big Band...
and Betty Smith
Betty Smith
Betty Smith, née Elisabeth Wehner , was an American author.-Biography:Born on December 15, 1896 in Brooklyn, New York to German immigrants, she grew up poor in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and attended Girl's High School. These experiences served as the framework to her first novel, A Tree Grows in...
. This group toured regularly in 1976 and after the death of Harry James
Harry James
Henry Haag “Harry” James was a trumpeter who led a jazz swing band during the Big Band Era of the 1930s and 1940s. He was especially known among musicians for his astonishing technical proficiency as well as his superior tone.-Biography:He was born in Albany, Georgia, the son of a bandleader of a...
in 1983, he was asked by the James Foundation to take over their orchestra. A small 'fighting cock' of a man (he once elbowed Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
out of the way for persistently mis-judging the tempo of a Baker feature on British concerts) he was a world-class lead trumpeter, solo performer and improviser.
His career saw him play with the likes of Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
,Petula Clark, Sammy Davis, Jr.
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Samuel George "Sammy" Davis Jr. was an American entertainer and was also known for his impersonations of actors and other celebrities....
and Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
. He also performed on James Bond soundtracks and with The Beatles. In addition to this, he was also heard on hundreds of TV programmes including The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show is a British television programme produced by American puppeteer Jim Henson and featuring Muppets. After two pilot episodes were produced in 1974 and 1975, the show premiered on 5 September 1976 and five series were produced until 15 March 1981, lasting 120 episodes...
, through his involvement with the Jack Parnell
Jack Parnell
John Russell Parnell was an English bandleader and musician.-Biography:Parnell was born into a theatrical family in London....
Orchestra, which played for the now-defunct ATV
Associated TeleVision
Associated Television, often referred to as ATV, was a British television company, holder of various licences to broadcast on the ITV network from 24 September 1955 until 00:34 on 1 January 1982...
company.
In 1962 he recorded a light jazz set with Petula Clark at the Pye Studios at Great Cumberland Place live and late at night with 'the Kenny Baker Trio' . This has now become a classic set and has regularly been re-issued on CD. This set is entitled 'IN OTHER WORDS ...PETULA CLARK'
In the 1980s he provided the music for The Beiderbecke Trilogy
The Beiderbecke Trilogy
The Beiderbecke Trilogy refers to three television serials written by Alan Plater and made by Yorkshire Television for the ITV network in the United Kingdom between 1984 and 1988. Each serial centres around schoolteachers Trevor Chaplin and Jill Swinburne who work at a rundown comprehensive...
, starring James Bolam
James Bolam
James Christopher Bolam, MBE is a British actor, best known for his roles as Jack Ford in When the Boat Comes In, Trevor Chaplin in The Beiderbecke Trilogy, Terry Collier in The Likely Lads and its sequel Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?, Roy Figgis in Only When I Laugh, Dr Arthur Gilder in...
.
His famous group, 'Baker's Dozen' reformed in 1993 for four sell-out nights at Ronnie Scott
Ronnie Scott
Ronnie Scott was an English jazz tenor saxophonist and jazz club owner.-Life and career:Ronnie Scott was born in Aldgate, east London, into a family of Russian Jewish descent on his father's side, and Portuguese antecedents on his mother's. Scott began playing in small jazz clubs at the age of...
's in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
.
He was presented with the best trumpet player title for the third time at the BT British jazz awards in 1999. He was also awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 1999.
He died in a hospital close to his home at Felpham
Felpham
Felpham is a village and civil parish in the Arun District of West Sussex, England. Although sometimes considered part of the greater Bognor Regis habitation it is a village and civil parish in its own right, having an area of 4.26 km² with a population of 9611 people and still growing .The...
, West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
at the age of 78 after suffering from a viral infection for more than three weeks. He is survived by his third wife Sue and daughter Julie. People have said of Baker that 'He was to jazz what the Rolling Stones are to rock music'.
Jim Simpson, head of Big Bear Music Agency, which handled Baker's career, said, "It's not just the passing of good man and a wonderful musician, it's the end of an era musically."