Jalen Baker’s passion for jazz started at a Houston middle school, but has taken him around the country and world — including a stop at the Arcevia Jazz Festival in Italy. Baker and his bandmates are the first Houston-based jazz musicians to join DACAMERA’s Young Artist program, a fellowship program for emerging musicians. The Houston jazz artist reflects on his music journey and forthcoming second album “Be Still” out on July 7.
Q: When did you first start listening to jazz music and what drew you in?
“I went to Johnston Middle School. I was in the music program and joined the jazz ensemble my 8th grade year. I kind of didn’t have a choice but to listen [to jazz]. I ended up really enjoying it. It kind of resembled music that I grew up listening to. My parents are big Earth, Wind, and Fire fans. It's not that much different from the music those guys were creating and writing. There was an innate connection there immediately.”
Q: What can people expect from your second album?
“It’s pretty reflective, but it’s also a lot of fun. I think the first album was really composed. Everything was a lot more part specific, a lot of more elaborate compositions. This one, things are stripped down a little more. You get to hear a little bit more of the individual players express themselves. That’s fun for me to listen to. In the jazz world, there’s not always space for everybody in the band to have moments. This music, I really wanted my bandmates to get quite a bit of shine on various pieces.”
Q: Is there a music genre that reminds you of Houston?
“The chopped and screwed, hip hop. You hear that and it’s like yeah, this doesn’t happen anywhere but here. Bun B, UGK, Pimp C, Paul Wall, that’s all very much Houston to me.”
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