Distinguished Professor of Music and Chairman of the Jazz Department at the Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington. A virtuosic performer on multiple instruments and top in his field in several disciplines, Baker has taught and performed throughout the USA, Canada, Europe, Scandinavia, New Zealand and Japan. In addition to leading his own groups, he has performed and recorded with numerous jazz artists and was a member of the bands of Stan Kenton, Lionel Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, Quincy Jones, and George Russell. He is also the conductor and musical director of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.