Michael Baker, Bruce Hornsby’s touring drummer from 1998 to 1999, passed away on July 9 2023. Michael was drummer during Bruce’s famous Yoshi’s run in 1998, including the download below.
Michael’s body of work stretches across a wide sphere: a graduate of North Texas State University’s jazz program in the late 1970s, Michael was also a student of ballet and a composer and producer of distinction. He conducted Whitney Houston’s comeback performance of “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” on the 2010 American Music Awards, and produced Aretha Franklin’s performance on the Arista Music 25th Anniversary Special. He wrote and arranged music for HBO specials, Sports Illustrated events, and produced and directed the “Soul Divas Tour” for Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick and Natalie Cole in 2004..
Michael’s time with Bruce included work on Big Swing Face and Here Come the Noisemakers, and he sat in on Bruce’s Yoshi’s residency in 1998. Here for download is the show from November 4 1998, opening with a stellar drum solo from Michael and featuring his enduring partnership with J.V. Collier throughout.
We send our best wishes to Michael’s family and friends.
Yoshi’s, Oakland, CA .. November 4 1998 (late show) featuring Michael Baker:
01. Drum intro
» 3.1 MiB - 1,503 downloads
02. China Doll
» 13.6 MiB - 1,126 downloads
03. The Changes
» 8.2 MiB - 1,084 downloads
04. Defenders of the Flag
» 8.0 MiB - 1,241 downloads
05. Another Day
» 9.5 MiB - 1,178 downloads
06. Across the River
» 12.4 MiB - 1,208 downloads
07. The Road Not Taken
» 9.8 MiB - 1,199 downloads
08. (Jungle Land)
» 1.4 MiB - 1,373 downloads
09. The Way It Is
» 11.8 MiB - 1,391 downloads
10. Big Rumble
» 6.0 MiB - 1,059 downloads