ANDREA BAKER (JAZZ SINGER)

many thanks to Phillip Lambro

Andrea Baker is a critically acclaimed singer and multi-instrumentalist. Noted jazz critic, Leonard Feather, has compared Andrea to Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan and Jazz Improv Magazine called her a female Sinatra. Don Heckman of the LA Times proclaimed her a musician's singer. Her many CD's have likewise garnered rave reviews and have received nationwide airplay on jazz stations including heavy play from Chuck Niles of KJZZ. Veteran singer, Johnny Mathis, endorsed her latest CD, Candles in the Wind calling her a vocal "gem." A recent appearance in Kansas City brought her the highest praise from Downbeat critic, Chuck Berg. Andrea is guest vocalist on the newly released DVD, Steve Wilkerson; Live and in Session. In addition to her vocal prowess, Andrea is an accomplished guitarist, bassist, pianist, composer and arranger. She was production advisor on The Art of Jazz Saxophone for Hal Leonard Corporation and produced two critically acclaimed CD's for her husband, veteran saxophonist, Steve Wilkerson - Shaw 'Nuff (proclaimed a top pick by Jazz Journal International and featured in a major article in Downbeat Magazine) and It's a Blues Sorta Thing with organist, Joey DeFranceso for which she penned the title track.

Andrea is also an esteemed jazz educator. In 2006 she was named Director of Jazz Studies for Pasadena City College where she heads up a large and diversified department. As director of the acclaimed Studio Jazz Ensemble, Andrea has led the ensemble on five CD's, one with saxophone icon, Gary Foster. She has presented the band in appearances throughout the city at top rated jazz spots including the Playboy Jazz Festival and the Jazz Bakery. Andrea also directs the PCC Jazz/Rock Big Band, teaches jazz improvisation, jazz history and jazz voice. Andrea earned a Bachelor's in Music Education from the University of Tulsa where she sang with their award winning jazz ensemble and also won the coveted vocal award. Her Masters in Vocal Performance is from Pittsburg State University in Kansas where she studied with Margaret Thuenemann.

A professional musician since age fourteen, Andrea has performed with many top names in jazz including the Stan Kenton Orchestra, the Frank Capp Juggernaut Band, the Ray Anthony Orchestra, the Billy May Orchestra, the Jack Sheldon Big Band, and with guitar legend, Barney Kessel. She has sung for Crystal Cruise Lines and the NAMM show. Equally at home with vocal or instrumental jazz, Andrea travels as an artist/clinician and also adjudicates.

In 2005 Andrea was inducted into the prestigious Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame for her many jazz endeavors.

 

ANDREA BAKER - CANDLES IN THE WIND (2005)

Late night jazz vocal - soft sytle with guitar trio - reminiscent of the old Julie London/Barney Kessel recordings.

Andrea Baker, vocals

Pat Kelley, guitar

Darek Oles, bass

James Gadson, drums on tacks 3,5 and 7

All arrangements by Andrea Baker

many thanks to Phillip Lambro

review by Paul J. Youngman: ANDREA BAKER - CANDLES IN THE WIND (2005)

more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels

 

 

What the Critics Have to Say about Andrea Baker

"Are there indeed no new singers coming up to follow the Ella's and the Sarah's? Andrea Baker gives cause for hope. She has familiarized herself with the past mistresses of the art, sings ballads sensitively and scats . Add a pure sound and firm intonation and you have here the ingredients for jazz vocal stardom." - Leonard Feather, Los Angeles Times

 

"Her clear ringing voice sizzles with rhythmic panache!" Zan Stewart- LA Times

 

Andrea Baker is one of the finest singers I have ever heard! Joey DeFrancesco, organist

 

Baker, an expert scat singer who has complete control over her voice and who always sings in tune was quite relaxed during her performance as if singing songs for friends in her living room. She is definitely a name to look for in the future." Scott Yanow - Jazz Now Magazine

 

"Control was the focus of singer, Andrea Baker's performance as she demonstrated a firm rhythmic grip both when singing a lyric and scat singing.... her phrasing also came with an even flow" Bill Kohlhasse- Los Angeles Times

 

"How she digs in - lingering on the good lines. She swings like a female Sinatra. Her best acting comes on Black Coffee, pure at first; her voice slowly coarsens...Emotion is rarely this pure and seldom so lovely." John Barrett Jr. - Jazz Improv Magazine

 

"...the title cut, Table For One, finds her (Baker) using the smoky quality of her voice to beautiful effect." John Wooley - World Entertainment Weekly

 

"One of the best singers I have ever heard!" Ray Anthony, trumpeter

 

"Baker is a true jazz singer! She does fast arrangements at warp speed and lingers hauntingly over ballads like Goodbye." Jerome Wilson, Cadence Magazine

 

We just finished listening to Andrea Baker's CD - WOW! There aren't many recordings where you can pick any track and be assured a great performance - She will get regular play on our program! Ron Aprea & Angela DeNiro WSHR Radio, New York

 

"Baker has excellent control, deliberate and breathless phrasing and a good ear. This is some of the most beautiful, thoroughly ingratiating music it has been my pleasure to hear." Johnny Adam, ALL THAT JAZZ-KNRY and KIEZ Radio, Carmel, CA

 

"Andrea is the real thing. I mean this lady can do it all." L & H Sound - Jersey City

 

"Baker's voice has a sauciness to it, an intimate, caressing feel that is very effective. She reminds me of Billy Holiday. - There is a quality to the voice that is hard to describe - an ethereal quality that lingers. She is first rate." Myrna Daniels - LA Jazz Scene

 

"Baker has an ear for blending jazz with contemporary music as her knockout vocals on Rock With You (Steve Wilkerson/Andrea Baker - Together - Skyline Records) prove. Her vocal, complete with multi-track harmonies is absolutely stunning - so good in fact that it deserves to become a hit again!" Ellis Widner - Tulsa World

 

"Andrea has astonishing voice control - never wavering on notes held and stretched. Her clear water vocals draw everybody back. She glowed on Besame Mucho and My Foolish Heart then rocked them around with I'm Walkin' before soothing with You've Changed!" Sandy Sterling - Jazz Society News

 

"One of the Southern California's most promising artists!" Steven Harris - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

 

"Baker with a sultry voice that echoes Ella Fitzgerald and Jo Stafford brought a saucy flavor to such standards as My Romance, The Nearness of You and The Girl From Ipanema. She is strongest at scatting, using her voice as an instrument that rolls and bounces with the band." Anissa Vicente - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

 

"Baker is a true jazz artist of the highest caliber!" Robert Kehle - Director of Jazz Studies, Pittsburg State University

 

"She produces such a variety of timbres that I wonder how just one person can produce such tonal variety. She can really swing, then switch to a ballad that is a complete change of mood and communicate it just as well as the swinging up tempo tunes. A very distinctive voice!" Carey Meister, KAWC Radio - Arizona

 

"Baker shows that she can deal with both romantic ballads and up tempo material - she brings a good deal to the vocal table, showing off her considerable scatting skills." Dave Nathan - All About Jazz

 

"A truly cool jazz vocal sensation - a stunning presence with a voice like silk thunder!" The Hot Blues & Cool Jazz Festival

 

"Incredible tonality and precision! Baker brings spot on pitch and warmth to her singing!" John Hammel, WNTI Radio,

 

Andrea has a great presence projecting great diction and uncanny swing! Ernie Garside, Artists Management, England

 

A simply beautiful voice! Jack Simpson Jazz on the Beach WUCF Radio, Orlando, Florida