- A performer, composer and educator
- Born in Indianapolis on Dec. 21, 1931 and passed away in March 2016
- Founded Indiana University’s jazz studies program in 1968
- Played in the ensembles of Quincy Jones and George Russell
- David Baker along with Gunther Schuller were the original artistic directors of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, established in 1990
- Wrote many jazz pieces for notable instrumentalists and ensembles including the cellist Janos Starker and the Fisk Jubilee Singers
- Recognition:
- Named Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2000
- Named a Living Jazz Legend by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2007
- Interesting Facts:
- During his time in school, you could be expelled for practicing jazz in the practice rooms.
- Was in a bad car accident in 1953 resulting in the end of his time as a trombonist due to a chronic facial tremor caused by the injury.
- Was fired from Lincoln University in 1957 after he married Eugenia Jones, a white opera singer.
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