The Friends of Nanaimo Jazz Society is bringing in the New Year with a limited engagement:
The Jalen Baker Quartet
7:00 pm Thursday, February 15th, 2024
St. Andrew’s United Church, 315 Fitzwilliam St., Nanaimo
With Samuel Reid on piano, Gabe Godoy on bass, and Gavin Moolchan on drums.
Jalen Baker, born in Washington DC and raised in Houston, TX, is a vibraphonist, percussionist, educator, and composer whose early training involved both classical and jazz music. Jalen received his BA in Jazz Studies from Columbia College Chicago, received several accolades, and was chosen to be a member of the Chicago Next Gen Allstars by the Chicago Jazz Institute. Jalen was accepted as a Graduate Assistant in the Jazz Performance program at Florida State University where he received his MM in Jazz Studies in 2019.
Jalen Baker is a strong, authentic voice in jazz vibraphone, building on the legacies of Stefon Harris, Steve Nelson and Joe Locke, while twisting the instrument’s idiosyncrasies to fit with his musical personality. He has been an active performer with the Leon Anderson Quartet, The Ulysses Owens Trio and The Ulysses Owens Quartet, as well as leading his own band Musiki Tano.
The Jalen Baker Quartet will take the stage at St. Andrew’s United Church – the perfect surrounding for their harmonious sounds.
Pre-show entertainment will be performed by student musicians of the Wellington Jazz Academy.
