Bassist • Educator • Arranger/Composer • Songwriter
Bio
Dr. David Baker is currently serving as Assistant Professor and Area Coordinator of Jazz & Commercial Music at Utah Valley University and Director of Programs and Staff Arranger for non-profit 501(c)(3) Hot House West. He received his Doctor of Arts from the University of Northern Colorado in Jazz Studies with an emphasis in both performance and composition. He has been an active performer for over fifteen years including performances at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Vail Jazz Festival, Moab Music Festival, The Jazz Education Network Conference, the International Society of Bassists Convention, The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, Dazzle Jazz & Supper Club, The Velvet Note, the Colorado Symphony, and the Gene Harris Jazz Festival. Along this journey, he has been thankful for opportunities to perform alongside jazz legends like Ulysses Owens Jr., Greg Gisbert, Bob Sheppard, Frankie Avalon, The Platters, Carmen Bradford, Drew Zaremba, and Corey Christiansen. David’s talents were recognized in 2019 when he was awarded the First Alternate position in the International Society of Bassists' Jazz Performance Competition.
David was raised in a musical family in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. His grandmother sang and performed piano in New Orleans, his mother played flute in local pit orchestras, and his brother was a jazz guitarist in his university jazz band. Each of these voices left David to develop a deep affinity for all genres of music—especially bebop, swing, blues, and acoustic roots music. As a child, he chose to study the violin as his primary instrument, starting an ever-lasting love for string instruments. In 2011, David began conservatory training at the Schwob School of Music of Columbus State University as a classical violin major. While studying, David moonlighted in local clubs playing electric bass in jazz fusion groups, blues bands, and honky tonk ensembles. In 2013, David retired his violin and took up double bass as his primary instrument—his primary instrument to this day. From this moment onwards, David pursued his Masters and Doctorate degrees in Jazz Studies and has since found steady work in festivals, music venues, jazz clubs, recording studios, touring bands, and pit orchestras.
These days, David is a regular in the local Utah music scene, performing 156 dates in 2023, and is an active member of the Hot House West Swing Collective, Pompe n’ Honey, the Elderblossoms, and Josie-O and the Big 6. You will also find him playing bass in the Hot House West Swing Orchestra, for whom he also serves as the staff arranger. In 2022, David was introduced to the world of old time and bluegrass and fell deeply in love with the world of string bands and fiddle. He dove all in and even flew to West Virginia to learn the music firsthand at Clifftop. He has since become an active promoter and performer of acoustic roots music in Utah and you will often see him perform alongside Melissa Chilinski, Ben Weiss, Grayson Wickel, Dylan Shorer, and every once and a while with Pixie & The Partygrass Boys. In the pursuit of deepening his knowledge of early swing and Appalachian folk music, David dedicated himself to becoming a local expert in the slap upright bass idiom. As a result, he was invited to present on the topic at the 2023 International Society of Bassists Convention.
Beyond his university teaching, David believes strongly in sharing his musical knowledge. He has given masterclasses and lectures across the United States including most recently at the 2023, 2021, and 2019 International Society of Bassists Conventions and the 2024 Jazz Educators Network Conferences in New Orleans. He is an active mentor at jam sessions and workshops in the Utah music scene, and is always ready to lend a hand where he can. His recent academic research aims to redefine early jazz history and focuses on the consequential role of pluralism and religion in the creation of jazz. In 2022, David published the article "Opening the Door: Using Pluralism as a Philosophical Lens in the Jazz History Classroom" in Jazz Education in Research and Practice (Indiana University Press).
DISCOGRAPHY:
2024
"Deja Vu" - Jake Witt (Independent) [Bass]
Hot Chocolate & Accolades - The Elderblossoms (Westmoon Records) [Bass, Engineering, Mixing, Mastering]
Dig Deeper - Brother Chunky (Independent) [Bass]
The Great, Great Noise - David Ian Baker (Westmoon Records) [Engineering, Mixing, Arranger, Composer, Singer, Violin, Viola, Bass, Guitar, Synthesizer, Sound FX]
Melissa Chilinski - Melissa Chilinski (Westmoon Records) [Bass, Mellotron]
The River Green Sessions - Melissa Chilinski (Westmoon Records) [Bass, Guitar, Vocals, Engineering]
Patron Saint Django - The Hot House West Swing Orchestra (Westmoon Records) [Bass, Vocals, Arranger, Engineering]
2023
The Hallowed Wide - Emily Merrell (Independent) [Electric Bass]
Pictures in Time - Alex Sjobeck & David Baker (Next Level) [Bass, Arranger, Composer, Engineer]
Songs of a Night - Ryan Fourt (Moddl Records) [Bass]
2020
Talking Drums - Bobby Weins (Cellar Live!) [Bass]
风筝飞了一整天 - Xinren Zhou (Loom Records) [Bass]
January May - Sam Costigan (Independent) [Bass]
Love Wears Many Faces - Amaya Arevalo (Independent) [Bass]
287 - Lora Sherrodd (Independent) [Bass]
2019
Minus Piano - David Baker Trio (Moddl Records) [Bass, Arranger, Composer]
2017
Men of Earth - David Ian Baker (Independent) [Arranger, Composer, Guitar, Vocals]
Something About Christmas - SBST (Independent) [Arranger, Bass]
LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ARRANGEMENTS/COMPOSITIONS:
Accentuate the Positive (HHW Swing Orchestra)*
Artillerie Lourde/Baby Are You Kiddin'; (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Bei Mir Bist Du Schön (HHW Swing Orchestra)*
Blue Drag (HHW Swing Orchestra)*
Blue Skies (HHW Swing Orchestra)*
Bourbon Street Parade (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Bye Bye Blues (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Castle Rock (HHW Swing Orchestra)^
C'mon Man
Come On Up to the House (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Cowpoke (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Daphne (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Did You Call Her Today (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Doggone Cowboy (HHW Swing Orchestra)*
Dream of You (HHW Swing Orchestra)^
Forget Me Not (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Four or Five Times (HHW Swing Orchestra)*
Hayburner (HHW Swing Orchestra)^
Hit That Jive Jack (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Honeysuckle Rose (HHW Swing Orchestra)*
I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me (HHW Swing Orchestra)
I'm An Old Cowhand (HHW Swing Orchestra)*
I'm Beginning to See the Light (HHW Swing Orchestra)
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down (HHW Swing Orchestra)*
In the Wee Small Hours (HHW Swing Orchestra)
It Don't Mean A Thing (HHW Swing Orchestra)*
It's A Sin to Tell a Lie (HHW Swing Orchestra)*
I've Got Spurs (That Jingle, Jangle, Jingle) (HHW Swing Orchestra)
I Wanna Be Like You (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Joint Is Jumpin', The (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Jump Session (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Lady in My Life, The
Life is Fine (HHW Swing Orchestra)^
Little Fritzel
Mama M'an Ma Dit (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Man, I Feel Like a Woman (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Marie (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Midnight (HHW Swing Orchestra)*
Mind Your Own Business (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Minnie the Moocher (HHW Swing Orchestra)^
Miss Molly (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Nightmare (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Nocturne (HHW Swing Orchestra)
One O-Clock Jump (HHW Swing Orchestra)^
Paper Moon (HHW Swing Orchestra)^
Posin' (HHW Swing Orchestra)^
Rhythm Is Our Business (HHW Swing Orchestra)^
Saguaro Serenade (HHW Swing Orchestra)*
Shiny Stockings (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Shout, Sister, Shout (HHW Swing Orchestra)*
Side Saddle (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Smoke in the Sky
Some Time Ago
Stars Fell On Alabama (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Stay A Little Longer (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Straighten Up And Fly Right (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Sugarfoot Rag (HHW Swing Orchestra)^
Sugarhouse Special (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Sunbeam In Your Eyes (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Them There Eyes (HHW Swing Orchestra)^
These Foolish Things (HHW Swing Orchestra)
These Tears (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Things Ain't What They Used to Be (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Walk Right In (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Walkin' After Midnight (HHW Swing Orchestra)
When I Grow Too Old To Dream (HHW Swing Orchestra)
Zombie (HHW Swing Orchestra)^
ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS
Days Over
Dimdumim
Lassitude
ORIGINAL SONGS
Ash on the Bridge
* = co-arranger/composer
^ = modified transcription
ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS:
2024
"Slap Upright Bass Basics" - Hot House West Weekly Workshop Series (Salt Lake City, UT)
"Jam Session Survival" - Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music Festival (OFOAM) [with Josie-O & the Big 6] (Ogden, UT)
"Opening the Door: Using Pluralism as a Philosophical Lens in the Jazz History Classroom" - Jazz Education Network Webinar Series (Virtual)
"Jam Session 101" - Baltimore Oldtime Music Festival [with the Elderblossoms] (Baltimore, MD)
2023
"Non-Traditional Genres for Violin" - Utah American String Teachers Association Fall Workshop
"Early Jazz to Country Swing: How to Teach Yourself Slap Technique on Upright Bass" - International Society of Bassists Convention (Ann Arbor, MI)
"Performing in a Rhythm Section" - Gene Harris Jazz Festival (Boise, ID)
"Performing in a Chamber Bass Ensemble" - Utah State University (Logan, UT)
2022
"Opening the Door: Using Pluralism as a Philosophical Lens in the Jazz History Classroom" - Journal of Jazz Education in Research and Practice (Indiana University Press)
"The Process of Recording and Releasing an Album" - Idaho Arts Chart School (Boise, ID)
"Utilizing Improvisation to Better Understand Phrasing" - Boise State University (Boise, ID)
"Arranging for Duo Piano and Double Bass" - Northwest Nazarene University (Nampa, ID)
"How to Perform Jazz in a Small Group" - Boise State University (Boise, ID)
2021
"Using Piano Voicings to Expand Your Improvisational Vocabulary" - International Society of Bassists Convention (Virtual)
"Transitioning from Student to Professional Musician" - Utah State University (Logan, UT)
2020
"Consequential Saints: A Preliminary Study of Jazz and Religion in New Orleans" - Jazz Education Network Conference (New Orleans, LA)
For questions regarding
Utah Valley University
and the
Commercial Music Area
email me at
My Newest Solo Album: The Great, Great Noise
Press Shots
Video
Like a Desert Flower (The Elderblossoms)
Music by David Ian Baker, lyrics by Melissa Chilinski. Recorded live by the Elderblossoms. Featuring Melissa Chilinski, Ben Weiss, Nathan Royal, and Grayson Wickel.
When I Grow Too Old to Dream (Hot House West Swing Orchestra)
David crafted this arrangement for the 14-piece HHW Swing Orchestra based on the Cats and the Fiddle Arrangement from the 1940s.
Emily Merrell - "Bitter Roots"
David is the bassist on this track by pop artist Emily Merrell.
Stories (Alex Sjobeck & David Baker
Original Music Video by Alex Sjobeck & David Ian Baker. From Pictures in Time by Next Level Records.
Bei Mir Bist Du Schön (Hot House West Swing Orchestra)
David is the lead arranger and bassist for the HHW Swing Orchestra.
Aravah (Alex Sjobeck & David Baker
Live from the Noorda Center of the Performing Arts at Utah Valley University.
Doodlin' (Jenna McLean Quartet - Five Points Jazz Festival)
Live from the Five Points Jazz Festival with Jenna McLeanm(Vox), Annie Booth (piano), Alejandro Castañ0 (drums).
Tyrone (Bass Solo)
Transcribed bass solo from a live performance with the Ryan Fourt Trio at Jay's Bistro in Fort Collins, CO. Featuring Ryan Fourt and Hiroki Kitizawa.
Ganjam (Original 8-Piece Arrangement) - Lincoln Center
My reimagined arrangement of the Jelly Roll Morton classic performed at Lincoln Center by the Vanguard Octet. Featuring Marc Schwartz, Shawn Williams, Austin Cebulske, Zach Rich, David Mesquitic, Jack Roben, and Hiroki Kitizawa.