“The name Brett Baker has become an established, household name in the world of brass, not least for the level of commitment and focus that this outstanding musician has given to his craft.” Professor David King
As a clinician for Michael Rath Brass Instruments, Past-Principal Trombone of Black Dyke Band, previously President of the British Trombone Society, Chairman of the Awards Committee for the International Trombone Association, Programme leader for BA Music (Musical Arts) at the University of Salford and Editor of Glissando Magazine, Brett Baker is viewed internationally as a leading brass performer and educator. He is passionate about encouraging composers to write pioneering new repertoire for trombone having commissioned 100 compositions for the instrument.
He has performed with celebrated singers such as Alison Goldfrapp and Hayley Westenra and other world class trombone soloists such as Ian Bous?eld, Wycliffe Gordon, Christian Lindberg and Joseph Alessi. He is currently the most recorded trombone soloist in his genre, and as well as appearing in numerous radio broadcasts and TV appearances, by the age of 24 he had won every major brass band competition in the UK. Brett’s area of research includes trombone solo repertoire as well as modular instrument design. Brett has produced 25 solo CDs, 6 under his own label of White River Evocations, two sheet music solo albums and many arrangements for trombone.
Originally from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, Brett was introduced to the trombone by his father. In 1992 Brett moved north to study Business Economics at Salford University, simultaneously joining Fairey Band. At Fairey’s, Brett’s reputation as one of the ?nest players of his generation was ?rmly established. Brett became British Open Trombone Solo Champion from 1993-1995 and studied with Professor David King. Brett’s ?rst solo recording Bone Idyll, accompanied by Fairey’s and released in 1996, gained much critical acclaim, his advisor at this time being Denis Wick. In 2000, Brett began studies at the Royal Northern College of Music studying with Chris Houlding, John Iveson and John Miller and he joined Black Dyke Band. Under the direction of Prof Nicholas Childs, Brett has played on over 100 CDs and highlights included trips to the USA, Bermuda and Australia.
Brett has played for the winning band at the All England and Australian ‘Nationals’ twice, the Europeans and British Open Championships four times, the National Championships of Great Britain ?ve times and the English Nationals three times. Brett launched an international magazine for trombone players in 2014, Glissando Magazine.
Pursuing a hectic playing schedule Brett enjoys presenting workshops specialising in solo performance. He has been guest trombone tutor at Star Lake Musicamp near New York, the National Youth Band of Great Britain and the Swiss National Youth Band. He is currently trombone tutor of the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain and the International Brass Band Summer School in Swansea, as well as Course Director on the Bolsover Summer School and Northern Brass Band Trust. In 2014 he was Artistic Director for the Singapore Trombone Festival.
Having associations with many youth bands in the North of England, Brett has achieved contest success with Northop, Ratby and Longridge bands. As an adjudicator Brett has judged many competitions and festivals including the ITA in the USA and the National Solo Championships in Switzerland. In the brass band arena he has adjudicated at many association contests, the Australian and New Zealand National Championships and numerous Regional Area
Championships.