Kenny Baker (1921 - 1999)

[@vaughanbbrean71]

When anybody asked my Dad what he wanted to be when he grew up, he replied "I want to play the trumpet like Kenny Baker", he was a pretty good player, but Kenny was his idol, I saw him perform once near Walsall , I think it was at the Foley Arms, or a big pub nearby I was about 14 and my Dad asked the manager if I could be allowed in, and I have never forgotten it, I remember my Dad shouting through the smokey haze "TELL EM KEN" and he did!!

[@MrKeithterrett]

A true British Trumpet legend, had the pleasure of working with him at a concert in the RFH in 1976, with Lt. Col Trevor Sharpe conducting the Kneller Hall band with Kenny and the late great Don Lusher.

[@annemarsden6733]

Kenny the greatest trumpet player wow

[@60march]

Holy Moly. There's a trumpet section.....

[@ianblakesley3349]

Kenny Baker was the star guest at a small jazz festival in Puerto de Mogan on Grand Canary in 1999 where he performed superbly in front of a number of British bands. I had the chance to meet him and buy a copy of his biography written by Robert G Crosby. Kenny autographed it for me. I was shocked that he died only a very few months after those performances. I can remember him performing with Dizzy Gillespie on one of the Muppet shows in the early 1970s. I recall that, after the death of Harry James, Kenny was offered the chance to lead his Orchestra , but declined , because he wished to stay in UK with his young family, who were with him at the Mogan Festival in 1999. A true gentleman and brilliant musician.

[@alanwitton5980]

Absolutely beautiful

[@oldsrecording4261]

Great guy and a friend...sadly missed......saw kenny in jazz clubs/pubs many, many times in my youth. When he did the genevieve film solo I rushed to Phil Parkers and bought my first trumpet. Many years later we ended up near neighbours in north London, in those days I was doing mundane cabaret backing gigs for Mecca. But I was having dental problems with the threat of an upper denture, very, very, worried!!...he said come on over and we'll talk......he played my olds recording ..........way up into the stratosphere........then he took his top dental plate out....no comment......a great trumpet player sadly missed .....

[@sospiri73]

Such an easy and pleasant guy to work with. I had the privilege a couple of times in the mid-1970s when I was a member of the house band at the Parkstone Jazz Club and Kenny was our guest for the evening. Great nights and never any problems musically or otherwise.

[@Eldendeman]

I absolutely love this guy... his studio version of "Valarie" made me want to play the trumpet... Truly one of the greatest.

[@junkyman2]

what an old pro, one of my first albums i heard, he was playing by the time i get to phoenix....what an amazing player he was

[@sussexstompers]

Wonderful trumpet playing, really nice, tight band. Thanks for posting.

[@jackosallotment6224]

I do his rendition of dark eyes he recorded with the legendary Ted Heath Band lovely chart and he absolutely smacked it out of the park!!! Wonderful player

[@willmcc5063]

The try to make them like Kenny now a days but THEY CANT he was just a 1 off & will live in the hearts off all he touched & as Kenny would say with a big smile on his face,,,,,I had no idea she was only 15.

[@joedemarco5498]

I would like to make a cd to send to my cousin who cannot open the link ,of the Kenny Baker tune, MEAN TO ME. If I can make a cd or DVD and send it to him I would appreciate your permission. I am 90 years old and played Drums with BIG BANDS ,many years ago .

[@kerrydixon5011]

Can this be bought on dvd I think this performance featured the lovely “chunky” ?

[@tolik69429]

стылнр что не знал его

[@jmstpt]

Not a bad trumpet lineup...lol