David Baker: A Legacy in Music [With online content] - Tapa dura

Overall, this is a fine tribute to the Indianapolis native and Living Jazz Legend, illuminating his 60-year career as performer, composer, and educator. * Black Grooves * With the help of several key contributors, Herzig carefully traces Baker's career as a player, composer, educator and artist. It reads like the lives of several wrapped into one amazing person. . . . [T]his book is for anyone who wants to read about a class act, as well as a nice guy who wins in the face of great odds. * Down Beat * Books about musical artists often do a good job of telling us about the artist's life or about the artist's music; only rarely do they do both well. Monika Herzig's new book David Baker is one such book. * Bloom * Congratulations to Monika Herzig and the team of experts she assembled to contribute to a thorough look at the musical values and achievements of David Baker . . . [It's] a worthy 80th birthday tribute to a unique musician-educator. * Indianapolis Star * Unlike many other examples of the [Festschrift] genre, this one has real substance. It is a fine tribute to this extraordinary man and a valuable contribution to the history of jazz for the last half-century. I recommend it highly. * JJA News * [A] fascinating and well-documented book. . . The book is rich in detail and stories, personal and musical. * Hoosier Times * The musical legend is nearing his 80th birthday, and this book serves as a testament to his long career. It's a pleasure to have Baker's stories gathered in one place.July 17, 2011 * Bloomington Herald-Times * Each chapter and contributor to the book is effusive in praise of Baker's personal touch. The reader is reminded that Baker is humble, funny, self-effacing, passionate and of great conviction. It may seem a hagiography at times but Herzig's book serves to inspire. * JazzTimes *

A Living Jazz Legend, musician and composer David Baker has made a distinctive mark on the world of music in his nearly 60-year career-as player (chiefly on trombone and cello), composer, and educator. In this richly illustrated volume, Monika Herzig explores Baker's artistic legacy, from his days as a jazz musician in Indianapolis to his long-term gig as Distinguished Professor and Chairman of the Jazz Studies department at Indiana University. Baker's credits are striking: in the 1960s he was a member of George Russell's "out there" sextet and orchestra; by the 1980s he was in the jazz educator's hall of fame. His compositions have been recorded by performers as diverse as Dexter Gordon and Janos Starker, the Beaux Arts Trio, the Composer's String Quartet and the Czech Philharmonic. Featuring enlightening interviews with Baker and a CD of unreleased recordings and Baker compositions, this book brings a jazz legend into clear view.