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Shorty Baker Biography

shorty-baker
  • Born: May 26, 1914 in St. Louis, MO
  • Years Active: 1950s-1970s
  • Genre: Jazz

Harold "Shorty" Baker had a mellow sound and a lyrical style that was the modern successor to Arthur Whetsol in the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Originally a drummer, Baker switched to trumpet as a teenager. A fine section player and a warm soloist, Baker played with Fate Marable on riverboats, Erskine Tate, Don Redman (1936-1938), Teddy Wilson's orchestra (1939-1940), and Andy Kirk (1940-1942). He married Mary Lou Williams (Kirk's pianist at the time). Baker was with Duke Ellington's Orchestra off and on during 1942-1962 (particularly 1943-1951 and 1957-1959), during which he was well-featured despite being in a trumpet section that at times also included Ray Nance, Clark Terry, Taft Jordan, Willie Cook, and Cat Anderson, among others. He was with Johnny Hodges' group in the early '50s, and after the Ellington years primarily led a quartet. Baker also recorded in later years with Bud Freeman and Doc Cheatham. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi

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