Bassist • Educator • Arranger/Composer • Songwriter
“Baker…compliments the duo with a bluesy, post-bop drive and a finely sanded, varnished tone.”
Mike Jurkovic, All About Jazz (review of Pictures in Time)
“bassist David Baker especially sharp and sunny on their feature, ‘So Sorry, Please.’”
Jack Bowers, All About Jazz (review of Talking Drums)
“David’s bass is exquisite… ”
Dick Metcalf, Contemporary Fusion Reviews (review of Picture
BIOGRAPHY & CREDITS
Dr. David Ian Baker is a bassist, arranger, composer, and educator based in Utah. He currently serves as Assistant Professor and Area Coordinator of Jazz & Commercial Music at Utah Valley University, where he directs the Jazz Orchestra and oversees the jazz and commercial music programs. He is also the Director of Westmoon Records—a blind peer-reviewed label under non-profit organization Hot House West that supports local artists through the full recording and release process—and serves as Staff Arranger and bassist for the Hot House West Swing Orchestra. David was a key resource as Hot House West acquired non-profit status and served previously as an Interim Board Member (2023-2024) and the Director of Programs (2023-2024). In addition, he maintains the role of Webmaster for the Utah chapter of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA).
David earned his Doctor of Arts in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado, with emphases in both jazz performance and composition/arranging. Over the past two decades, he has performed at festivals and venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center (New York, NY), Vail Jazz Festival (Vail, CO), Moab Music Festival (Moab, UT), The Jazz Education Network Conference (New Orleans, LA/Louisville, KY), International Society of Bassists Conventions (Ann Arbor, MI/Bloomington, IN/Tallahassee, FL), Baltimore Old Time Festival (Baltimore, MD), Utah Presents: Jazz at Kingsbury Hall (Salt Lake City, UT), The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame (Tulsa, OK), Dazzle Jazz & Supper Club (Denver, CO), Dare to Be Square DMV (Dumfries, VA), The Velvet Note (Atlanta, GA), the Colorado Symphony (Denver, CO), Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music Festival (Ogden, UT), Five Points Jazz Festival (Denver, CO), Jazz Mentors Foundation (Salt Lake City, UT), Gene Harris Jazz Festival (Boise, ID), and the Utah Arts Festival (Salt Lake City, UT). His versatility as a bassist has led him to work in jazz clubs, music festivals, pit orchestras, recording studios, and touring bands.
Along the way, he’s performed with artists such as Ulysses Owens Jr., Greg Gisbert, Bob Sheppard, Joe Craven, Frankie Avalon, The Platters, Carmen Bradford, Golden Shoals, the New York Voices, Drew Zaremba, Josiah Boornazian, Corey Christiansen, Chase Baird, Ray Smith, and Jay Lawrence. In 2019, David was recognized as First Alternate in the International Society of Bassists’ Jazz Performance Competition.
As an arranger/composer, David serves as the staff arranger for the Hot House West Swing Orchestra and similarly is commissioned to write for various performing groups throughout the world. He has had compositions/arrangements performed by the Rhythm Future (Boston, MA), Mouri Yoshiki Orchestra (Nagoya, Japan), University of Osnabrück Big Band (Osnabrück, Germany), Christie Brooke at the Blue Note Hawaii (Honolulu, HI), Weber State University Jazz Orchestra (Ogden, UT), James Madison University Jazz Ensemble (Harrisonburg, VA), Wendy Warner, Jacqueline Pickett, Utah Valley University Jazz Orchestra (Orem, UT), University of Northern Colorado Lab I (Greeley, CO), and the Columbus State University Jazz Orchestra (Columbus, GA).
David was raised in a musical family in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. His grandmother was a pianist and singer in New Orleans, his mother played flute in local pit orchestras, and his brother was a jazz guitarist. These early influences led to a deep love of music across genres—particularly bebop, swing, blues, and acoustic roots traditions. He began playing violin as a child and later studied classical violin and viola at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University. During that time, he gigged on electric bass in local jazz fusion, blues, and honky tonk bands. In 2013, he made the switch to double bass, which remains his primary instrument today.
Since then, David has built a career at the intersection of performance, education, arranging, and community organizing. He averages 180 performances annually. He’s an active member of the Hot House West Swing Orchestra, Nathan Royal Trio, Pompe n’ Honey, and The Elderblossoms.
Dr. David Ian Baker is a recognized regional expert in slap upright bass, with a particular focus on its application in early jazz and American folk traditions. His work in this area has included both performance and pedagogy, culminating in a featured presentation titled "Early Jazz to Country Swing: How to Teach Yourself Slap Technique on Upright Bass" at the 2023 International Society of Bassists Convention. Drawing from historical recordings, lived performance practice, and contemporary applications, David has become a leading voice in reviving and contextualizing the slap style for modern players.
As an educator and researcher, David believes in making music education accessible, rigorous, and connected to its cultural roots. He has presented masterclasses and lectures at the 2025, 2023, 2021, and 2019 International Society of Bassists Conventions and at the 2024, 2019, and 2015 Jazz Education Network Conferences. He is also regularly workshopping and adjudicating school ensembles through UMEA jazz festivals and in partnership with other universities and high schools such as Brigham Young University, Weber State University, Boise State University, Snow College, and Bountiful High School. He most recently worked as an invited clinician/adjudicator at the 2025 Utah State Jazz Festival.
He’s a familiar face at community jam sessions and workshops, mentoring up-and-coming musicians and helping to build Utah’s musical ecosystem. His academic research centers on early jazz history and the roles of pluralism and religion in shaping the music. In 2022, he 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).
COMPLETE DISCOGRAPHY:
2025
Days Over - David Ian Baker (Westmoon Records WMR2507) [Bass, Synths, Engineering, Mixing, Mastering, Arranging]
Mrs. Lucky - Bryn Ripley (Westmoon Records WMR2508) [Bass]
Begging for a Change [SINGLE] - Sean Marshall [Bass]
Wes 101 - Kristen R. Bromley [Bass]
"Barlow Knife" (SINGLE) - The Elderblossoms [Bass, Engineering, Mixing, Mastering]
Live at Kingsbury Hall - Hot House West Swing Orchestra (Westmoon Records WMR2502) [Bass, Mixing, Mastering, Arranging]
Wolf Creek - Pompe n' Honey (Westmoon Records WMR2501) [Bass, Engineering, Mixing, Mastering]
"Side Saddle" (SINGLE). - Pompe n' Honey (Westmoon Records WMR2502S2) [Bass, Engineering, Mixing, Mastering]
"If I Had a Dog" (SINGLE) - Pompe n' Honey (Westmoon Records WMR2502S1) [Bass, Engineering, Mixing, Mastering]
Chasing The Muse - Josiah Boornazian (Jazz Hangs Records JHR1001JB) [Bass]
2024
Lotus Blossom - Nathan Royal Trio (Westmoon Records WMR2405) [Bass, Vocals, Engineering, Mixing, Mastering]
"Deja Vu" (SINGLE) - Jake Witt (Independent) [Bass]
"Morning Blue" (SINGLE) - Jake Witt (Independent) [Bass]
Hot Chocolate & Accolades - The Elderblossoms (Westmoon Records WMR2404) [Bass, Engineering, Mixing, Mastering]
Dig Deeper - Brother Chunky (Independent) [Bass]
The Great, Great Noise - David Ian Baker (Westmoon Records WMR2403) [Engineering, Mixing, Arranger, Composer, Singer, Violin, Viola, Bass, Guitar, Synthesizer, Sound FX]
Melissa Chilinski - Melissa Chilinski (Westmoon Records WMR2402) [Bass, Mellotron]
The River Green Sessions - Melissa Chilinski (Westmoon Records WMR2401) [Bass, Guitar, Vocals, Engineering]
Patron Saint Django - The Hot House West Swing Orchestra (Westmoon Records WMR2301) [Bass, Vocals, Arranger, Engineering]
2023
The Hallowed Wide - Emily Merrell (Independent) [Electric Bass]
Pictures in Time - Alex Sjobeck & David Baker (Next Level NL 2225) [Bass, Arranger, Composer, Engineer]
Songs of a Night - Ryan Fourt (Moddl Records MR22A1) [Bass]
2020
Talking Drums - Bobby Weins (Cellar Live! CM081320) [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 MR18A1) [Bass, Arranger, Composer]
2017
Men of Earth - David Ian Baker (Independent) [Arranger, Composer, Guitar, Vocals]
Something About Christmas - SBST (Independent) [Arranger, Bass]
ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS:
2025
"Ditching the Amp: Ways to Develop a Resonant Acoustic Sound on Double Bass" - International Society of Bassists Convention (Tallahassee, FL)
"Jam Session Survival" - Dare to Be Square DMV (Dumfries, VA) [with the Elderblossoms]
"Slap Bass 101" - Hot House West Online Course (Publish Date TBD)
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)
Arrangements written for the Hot House West Swing Orchestra
This is the running list of arrangements written for the Hot House West Swing Orchestra penned by David Ian Baker in his role as staff arranger for the ensemble. Credits with an asterisk indicate that the arrangement had contributions from Nathan Royal and/or Hayley Kirkland. Original Compositions/Lyrics are listed in parentheses after the specified song.
Accentuate the Positive*
Alpine Milkman
Artillerie Lourde/Baby, Are You Kiddin'
Bei Mir Bist Du Schön*
Blue Drag*
Blue Skies
Bourbon Street
Bye Bye Blues
Castle Rock*
Come On Up To The House
Cowpoke
Crazy
Did You Call Her Today?
Do I Ever Cross Your Mind
Do Nothin' 'Till You Hear From Me
Doggone Cowboy
Double Whisky
Dream Of You
Forget Me Not
Four, Five Times*
Happy Birthday
Hayburner
Hit That Jive Jack
Honeysuckle Rose*
I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me
I Lost My Gal From Memphis*
I Put A Spell On You
I Wanna Be Like You
I'm An Old Cowhand*
I'm Beginning To See The Light
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter
I've Got Spurs
In The Wee Small Hours
Indifférence
It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing
It's A Sin To Tell A Lie
Jitterbug Waltz
Joseph, Joseph
Jump Session
Kingsbury Blues
Life Is Fine
Mama Man M'A Dit
Man, I Feel Like A Woman
Marie
Midnight
Milo's Bounce
Mind Your Own Business
Minnie The Moocher
Minor Swing
Miss Molly
Nightmare
Nocturne
On The Sunny Side Of The Street
One O'Clock Jump
Paper Moon
People Are Strange
Posin'
Rhapsody In Blue/Harlem Nocturne
Rhythm Is Our Business
Saguaro Serenade (Lyrics by David Ian Baker)
Shiny Stockings
Shout, Sister, Shout
Side Saddle (Co-Written with Pompe n' Honey)
Stay A Little Longer
Straighten Up And Fly Right
Sugarfoot Rag
Sugarhouse Special (Written by David Ian Baker)
Sunbeams In My Eyes (Written by David Ian Baker)
T'Aint What You Do
Tea For Two
The Joint Is Jumpin'
Them There Eyes
These Foolish Things
These Tears
Things Ain't What They Used To Be
Too Darn Hot
Walk Right In
Walkin' After Midnight
Walking Stick
When I Grow Too Old To Dream
Zombie
For questions regarding
Utah Valley University
and the
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LISTEN TO MY MUSIC
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.
Copyright © 2025 David Ian Baker - All Rights Reserved.