About Me:
I like to combine all aspects of music education, not just technique and music reading, into my teaching approach. Often times, students are simply handed a book and are told to play. These students do not get introduced to theory, ear-training, pitch recognition, composition, performance techniques, general musicality, and fundamental setup (breathing, embouchere, finger/hand position). By combining these topics with high level instrumental technique training, I bring out the best in a student.

Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Rock, Blues, R&B, Funk, Fusion, Latin

Subjects:
Harmony, Theory, Ear Training, Songwriting, Arranging, Jazz Music History

Ages:
Elementary School, Pre-teen, Teenage, Adult

Availability:
Queens (Astoria, L.I.C to Flushing and beyond), all Manhattan, Brooklyn.

Major Influences:
Contemporary saxophonists (Chris Potter, Mark Turner, Joe Lovano, George Garzone), Guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, all the past masters (Coltrane, Cannonball, Wayne Shorter, etc...)

Experience:

• Freelance wedding and club dates, styles ranging from pop/R&B to jazz and blues. [2001 - Present]
• Performances at Jazz Festivals (North Sea, Monterey, Next-Gen, Tri-C) and Boston venues (Regattabar, Berklee Performance Center, C. Walsh Theater, Ryles, Wally's) [2002 - Present]
• Private Lessons at Mockingbird Music (Mansfield, MA) on Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, and Piano [2004 - 2007]

Education:

• Saxophone Performance (BM), Berklee College of Music [2005]

Studied With:

• George Garzone [2003 - 2005]
• Hal Crook [2002 - 2005]
• Loe Lovano [2003 - 2004]
• Sara Andon [2000 - 2001]
• Dr. Eddie Smith [1999 - 2001]

Awards:

• Thelonious Monk Institue Finalist - Thelonious Monk Institute, USC [2005]
• Presidents List and Summa Cum Laude - Berklee College of Music [2004]
• Charlie Parker Award for Woodwind Excellence - Berklee College of Music [2004]
• Concerto Competition Finalist - Fine Arts Club of Pasadena [2001]
• Redlands Concerto Competition Winner - University of Redlands [2001]

Recent Performances:

• The Baked Potato (Los Angeles) [October, 2007]
• Luna Lounge (Williamsburg, NY) [September, 2007]

Discography:

• Aaron Henry Group - "Blueshift" [2007]
• Bryan Baker and the Volunatry Villains - "Mute Narrator (Jan. 2008)" [2007]
• Bryan Baker Quartet - "Aphotic" [2006]

Scholarships:

• Charlie Parker Award [2003 - 2005]
• World Scholarship Tour [2002 - 2005]
• University of Redlands Music Scholarship [1999 - 2001]
• Presidential Scholarship [1999 - 2001]