Jalen Baker Music presents History of Jazz

About this event

Experience a dynamic journey through the history of jazz! Featuring a live performance by top-tier Houston quintet, this performance will be followed by a panel discussion exploring jazzs roots and Houstons role in its legacy. This free program offers an engaging opportunity to learn more about Americas first art form and its influence on the social development of our country. ABOUT THE PERFORMER: JALEN BAKER has been lauded as A bold new vibraphonist in Jazz town who warrants an ear with a promising career by DownBeat Magazine. A graduate of Columbia College Chicago with an MFA from Florida State University, he is also an alumnus of Houstons famed performing arts high school HSPVA. Jalen has gone on to become a mainstay on the international jazz scene performing often with notable bandleaders such as Jeremy Pelt, Johnathan Blake, Ulysses Owens Jr. Tim Warfield and many others. He is also an accomplished composer/bandleader in his own right with The Jalen Baker Quartet. With the release of Bakers first album in 2021 This Is Me, This Is Us and his second album in 2023 Be Still, he earned worldwide recognition from various Jazz Publications such as DownBeat, Jazz Journal, textura, JAZZIZ, and Stereogum. Jalen is also recognized as a rising star in DownBeat Magazines Critics Poll and was included in Houston CityBooks Leaders and Legends series. In addition to an often-robust touring schedule Jalen is also an educator and adjunct professor at Texas Southern University who uses both his classical percussion training as well as his jazz training to guide even younger musicians who may aspire to make playing jazz their career choice.

From Houston Public Library - Smith Neighborhood Library