Overview
'Minor masterpieces that blend folk, country, blues and jazz speckled with global allusions sit beside quirky pop songs suggestive of Paul Simon'. The Weekend Australian (4 stars).
Bio
The Baker Suite are John Baker (guitar/vocals) and Gayle Buckby (accordion, vocals), and are sometimes joined by musicians Julian Ferraretto (violin), John Aue/Lyndon Gray (double bass), and Enrico Mick Morena (drums). They have been delighting audiences with their cinematic storytelling for over 12 years, and 2016 sees the release of their 5th studio album, Still Life.
Festival appearances include WOMADelaide (AU 2014), International Asia-Pacific Music Festival (RU 2014), Bohemia Jazz Festival (CZ, 2012), Okayama Cultural Festival (JP, 2010), Nelson Arts Festival (NZ, 2010), International Guitar Festival (AU, 2009), Adelaide Festival of Arts (AU), Adelaide Cabaret Festival (AU), Lorch Am Rhein Cultural Festival(DE), and The National Folk Festival (AU).
“Harks back to great writers such as James Taylor, Jimmy Webb, Carole King and Burt Bacharach.”” (Paul Grabowsky)
'Minor masterpieces that blend folk, country, blues and jazz speckled with global allusions sit beside quirky pop songs suggestive of Paul Simon'. The Australian, 4 stars****
'Like a Hemingway novel...full of romance and stories that contain truth, beauty and intrigue in equal measure'. Kate Ceberano
'rouses aural aphrodisia' InDaily
'Pithy pop for thinking people' Sydney Morning Herald
Quotes
'Minor masterpieces that blend folk, country, blues and jazz speckled with global allusions sit beside quirky pop songs suggestive of Paul Simon'. The Australian, 4 stars
'Like a Hemingway novel...full of romance and stories that contain truth, beauty and intrigue in equal measure'. Kate Ceberano
'…rouses aural aphrodisia' InDaily
'A collaboration of poetry and music' Bohemia Jazz Festival (Czech Republic)
'Pity pop for thinking people', John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald
'A staggeringly great collection of original tunes which paint vivid, interesting portraits of real life from a true observer’s perspective'. InDaily
Discography
- Still Life (2016)
- Your Dreaming Self (2013)
- A Quartet For Car Horns And Brakes (2010)
- Slow Music, John Baker Duo (2006)
- The Raft, John Baker (2004)
Compilations:
- Sounds Like Cafe (Autumn 2014)
- Semaphore Songs (2012)
- Sounds LIke Cafe Volume 29 (2010)
- Sounds Like Cafe Volume 17 (2007)
- Three D Radio Compilation CD, Depthcharge 5 (2006)
- Fuse Festival Compilation CD (2006)
Musicians
Duo: John Baker (guitar) + Gayle Buckby (accordion)
Trio: + Julian Ferarretto (violin, mandolin, musical saw)
Quartet 1: Trio + Lyndon Gray or John Aue (double bass)
Quartet 2: Trio + Enrico Mick Morena (drums)
Quintet: John Baker, Gayle Buckby, Lyndon Gray, Julian Ferarretto, Enrico Mick Morena