Harold "Shorty" Baker (May 26, 1914 in St. Louis, Missouri, US – November 8, 1966) was an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

trumpeter. Baker began on drums, but switched to trumpet during his teens. He started his career on riverboats and played with Don Redman in the mid-1930s. He also worked with

Teddy Wilson Theodore Shaw Wilson (November 24, 1912 – July 31, 1986) was an American jazz pianist. Described by critic Scott Yanow as "the definitive Swing music, swing pianist", Wilson's piano style was gentle, elegant, and virtuosic. His style was high ...

and Andy Kirk before joining

Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American Jazz piano, jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous Big band, jazz orchestra from 1924 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D ...

. He married Kirk's pianist Mary Lou Williams and though the two separated shortly thereafter, they never officially divorced. Baker worked on and off in Duke Ellington's Orchestra from 1942 to 1962. He also worked with

Johnny Hodges Johnny Hodges (July 25, 1907 – May 11, 1970) was an American alto saxophone, alto saxophonist, best known for solo work with Duke Ellington's big band. He played lead alto in the saxophone section for many years. Hodges was also featured on sop ...

's group in the early 1950s, during the period when Hodges was not a member of Ellington's orchestra. He died of throat cancer in New York at the age of 52.Owsley, D. (2006). ''City of Gabriels: The History of Jazz in St. Louis, 1895-1973''. United States: Reedy Press, p. 57

Discography

As leader/co-leader

*1958.09 - ''The Broadway Beat'' (King, 1959) *1960.05 ''- The Bud Freeman All-Stars featuring Shorty Baker'' (Swingville, 1960) with Bud Freeman *1960.05 ''- Summer Concert'' 1960 (Jazz Archives, 1960) The Bud Freeman/Shorty Baker All-Stars *1961.01 - '' Shorty & Doc'' (Swingville, 1961) with Doc Cheatham

As sideman

With

*1950 - ''The Rabbit'' (Vogue, 1950) *1954 - Johnny Hodges (Norgran, 1954) reissued as '' Used to Be Duke'' (Norgran, Verve) *1955 - ''Dance Bash'' (Norgran, 1955) reissued ad ''Perdido'' (Norgran and Verve, ?) *''1957 - The Big Sound'' (Verve, 1957) *196' - ''The Smooth Sound'' (Verve, ?) *1961 - ''Soloist W BIlly Strayhor and Orchestra'' (Verve, ?) With Billy Strayhorn *1959 - '' Cue for Saxophone'' (Felsted, 1959)

References

External links

*
Jazz trumpet site
1914 births 1966 deaths American jazz trumpeters American male trumpeters Duke Ellington Orchestra members Jazz musicians from St. Louis Swing trumpeters 20th-century American musicians American male jazz musicians 20th-century American male musicians {{US-jazz-trumpeter-stub