Brett Baker

BSc. ARCM, PG Dip. PGCE

"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

President of the British Trombone Society, principal trombone of the Black Dyke Band and a clinician for Michael Rath Brass Instruments Brett Baker is viewed as one of Europe's leading brass performers and educators; and passionate about encouraging new composers to write pioneering new solo repertoire.

He has performed with celebrated singers such as Alison Goldfrapp and Hayley Westenra and other world class trombone soloists such as Ian Bousfield, Wycliffe Gordon, Christian Lindberg and Joseph Alessi. He is currently the most recorded trombone soloist in his genre, and as well as numerous broadcasts and TV appearances by twenty-four he had won every major brass band competition in the UK.

Originally from the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, Brett was encouraged to play trombone by his father. His early teachers included Bryan Nelmes, David Rudge, Robert Morgan and Ken Harmon, whilst he played in the Bream and Lydbrook Silver Bands. In 1989 he moved to the Flowers Band and joined the National Youth Brass Band of GB where he was principal trombone for two years. His teachers at this time were Danny Hannaby, Steve Walkley and the euphonium player Lyndon Baglin.

In 1992 Brett moved to study at Salford University, simultaneously joining the Fairey Band. At Fairey's Brett's reputation as one of the finest players of his generation was firmly established. He became British Open Trombone Solo Champion from 1993-5 whilst being taught by Professor David King and his first solo recording "Bone Idyll" accompanied by the Fairey Band in 1996 gained much critical acclaim, his advisor at this time being Denis Wick.

In 2000 Brett studied at the Royal Northern Conservatoire with Chris Houlding, John Iveson and John Miller, and was invited to join the Black Dyke Band under the direction of Dr. Nicholas Childs. At Black Dyke Brett has played on over 100 CDs and highlights include two trips to the USA and Bermuda and a tour of Australia. Brett has had some impressive contest successes, winning the All England Masters, the European's and Australian Nationals twice, the British Open Championships three times, the National Championships of Great Britain four times and the English Nationals.

Pursuing a hectic playing schedule of 100 concerts a year, Brett enjoys presenting workshops specializing in solo performance. He has been guest tutor on Star Lake Music camp near New York and the Swiss Youth Band. He is trombone tutor of the National Children's Brass Band and the International Brass Band Summer School and has been trombone tutor of the Northern Brass Band Trust since 1992, and Course Director since 2000. In 2006 he became Chairman and Vice President of the British Trombone Society (BTS) in 2010 its President. Brett is Chair of the International Trombone Association's awards committee (ITA) previously serving as its secretary.

Brett has been keen to promote new music for the trombone, commissioning over sixty works from composers and arrangers such as Dewhurst, Sparke, Harper, Higgins, Davoran, Broughton, Forgie, Graham, Newton, Duncan, Barry, Lovatt-Cooper, Wiffin, Wills, Farr, Wilkinson and Ellerby. Brett lives with his wife Sarah in Cheshire and is increasingly building a reputation as a conductor and adjudicator.

Visit Brett Baker's website at http://www.brettbaker.co.uk.