Jesse Baker
"Sing, Baby, Sing!"
-Phil Smith
"To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable."
-Beethoven
Jesse is an active freelance trumpeter, arranger, and teacher in and around the Atlanta area in Georgia. Jesse has performed frequently with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra, having played on works such as Stravinsky’s Petrushka, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, and Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. On other occasions he has also had the opportunity to play in the GSO with Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and "Weird Al" Yankovic. As a member of the Georgia Brass Band, he also performs on cornet in a British brass band style throughout the state of Georgia. Jesse also plays trumpet in a local mariachi group called Mariachi Búhos de Oro, made up of KSU music students and alumni, playing several public and private events per year throughout the southeast. As a member and horn arranger of the band Mixtape, he enjoys arranging and playing a variety of 70's, 80's, and pop music at numerous public events per year. Jesse also frequently performs in the orchestra pit for various musical productions in Georgia. A few of the musicals he's played include Cabaret, Titanic, Crazy for You, and Ragtime. Some additional groups he has performed with include Tara Winds, Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra, Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra, Big Band Atlanta, Atlanta Modernaries, and Rome Symphony Orchestra, to name a few.
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Jesse also enjoys teaching trumpet privately. He currently holds a private trumpet studio at Jackson's Music Store, Villa Rica High School, and Hillgrove High School. Before that, Ken Stanton Music and at the First Presbyterian Church of Marietta.
Jesse received his bachelor’s degree in Music Performance cum laude from Kennesaw State University in May 2016. His main teachers have included KSU trumpet professor Dr. Douglas Lindsey and Professor Michael Tiscione of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
My Thoughts on Music
Ever since I picked up the trumpet at the age of 11, I have enjoyed the many experiences and opportunities music had to offer. From the basics and short melodies, to the grinding practices of marching band, to the high-level techniques, I have gained a great appreciation for music over the years. I tend to try my best to achieve the things I really want, and even though some of those things may be fairly challenging, the rewards out of it at the end are always worth it.
Although music is a big educational aspect of my life, I also like to have as much fun out of it as I can. Listening to different kinds of music and observing how other people and myself react to a certain piece of music is very interesting to me. Seeing how music can change one's mood or actions reminds me of how powerful music can be. Not only listening to music, but performing it and understanding what it takes to play a certain piece of music is the chance that I love to witness first hand everyday.
Being involved in music either as a listener or a performer, it is a great gift that I can both work hard at and have fun doing at the same time. My overall goal is to share my love and creation of music with as many people as possible.
