Steve Baker

Bio:

Steve Baker was born and raised in London, England, and now lives near Hamburg, Germany. He took up the harp in 1969 and has been a full-time professional since 1975. Today he is undoubtedly one of the leading blues harmonica players on the European scene, and indeed one of the finest exponents of this instrument in the world. Among harmonica fans he has earned an international reputation for his outstanding and original playing as well as for his excellent books on the subject. Over the years Steve has become a kind of harmonica guru for numerous up and coming players. His highly individual style is a exciting fusion of traditional blues elements with innovative melodic ideas and showcases his mastery of dynamics and tone.

Steve appears live most frequently with Abi Wallenstein & Blues Culture and Canadian singer/songwriter and guitar virtuoso Dave Goodman. Until the latter's untimely death in autumn 2005, Steve performed and recorded regularly with guitarist/songwriter extraordinaire Chris Jones. Jones and Baker released four critically acclaimed CDs together on Acoustic Music Records and played in Australia, Poland, Russia and the USA as well as in western Europe.

In addition to frequent live appearances, Steve gives regular harmonica workshops and is also much in demand as a session musician. He has been Hohner’s international consultant for diatonic harmonicas since 1987 and and has been closely involved in the development of several new models including the Marine Band Deluxe and Marine Band Crossover models as well as harmonica education and coordination with the pro and semi-pro scene. He initiated the Harmonica Masters Workshops starting 2003 in Trossingen and featuring the amazing Joe Filisko, David Barrett, Brendan Power and Carlos del Junco, as well as the European Music Workshops in Alsace (F), starting 2009.

Steve is also a highly regarded author of harmonica literature and has written a number of instructional books. "The Harp Handbook" (Music Sales), first published in 1990 and now in its 4th edition, is considered the standard work on the diatonic harp and is often referred to as the "harmonica player's bible". The CD-ROM "Interactive Blues Harp Workshop" (1999, Voggenreiter) was the first work of its kind in this field. In 2000, 2003 and 2007 he published volumes 1,2&3 of his series "Blues Harmonica Playalongs".

Steve has performed on stage with several legendary blues artists including ex-Beatle Tony Sheridan, Louisiana Red, Alexis Korner and Champion Jack Dupree as well as appearing as a studio musician on recordings by numerous German and international artists, among them Al Martino, James Last and Dionne Warwick. As well as radio and TV appearances he has played on many international festivals including the Tamworth Country Festival (AUS), St. Petersberg Jazz Festival (RUS), Chicago Harmonica Extravaganza (USA), Rock am Meer (D, opening for the Scorpions), Tønder Festival (DK), Ospel Rhythm & Blues Festival (NL), Soulsvaer Blues Festival (N), Asia-Pacific Harmonica Festival (Taiwan), Harmonicas sur Cher (F), Harmonicales (F) and many others.

For more detailed Information: www.stevebaker.de

4th EUROPEAN MUSIC WORKSHOP

France, July 31st - August 5th 2012

Maison Kleebach, F-68140 Munster (Elsass)

STEVE BAKER - Harmonica Blues and Beyond
DAVE GOODMAN - Fingerpicking Blues and Slide Guitar
MARTIN RÖTTGER - Cajon - The Original Beat Box!


For details check out our website:
www.european-music-workshops.com
Local coordinator Robert Koch is already accepting reservations for 2012, book early to avoid disappointment: rok68@free.fr or tel. +33 608 309659

Chris Jones & Steve Baker

"County Jail"
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BluesCulture

"Long As I Can See The Light"

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Member Since:

July 21, 2007

Sounds Like:

Books & CDs

For detailed information and sound samples about the following CDs and books please look at my website www.stevebaker.de

BluesCulture "In Concert"

The BluesCulture CD is available from www.moonsoundrecords.de

I've played with Abi Wallenstein for nearly 20 years, performing 70 - 80 live shows a year. In 2002 Martin Röttger joined us on cajon and percussion and we named the resulting trio BluesCulture. The minimalist line-up of guitar, harp, percussion and vocals is extremely groove oriented and often has more in common with jam bands than with blues bands.

STEVE BAKER & DICK BIRD

"King Kazoo" - Acoustic Music Records

The title pays homage to the kazoo, an instrument which is possibly hated even more than the harmonica (if this is even conceivable!). "King Kazoo" features acoustic instruments almost exclusively and showcases Dick and Steve's energetic and grooving approach to a wide range of material in the country blues and jugband vein, underlining both their instrumental and vocal abilities as well as Dick's amazing talents on ..... well yes, the kazoo.

This CD is available from www.acoustic-music.de (AMR 319.1400.2) or can be downloaded from the i-Tunes Music Store.

Blues Harmonica Playalongs, VOL. 1 - 3

These book / CD packages fill a big gap in existing harmonica literature and are among the first publications of this kind specifically written for contemporary diatonic harmonica. They provide the intermediate player with high quality practising material in a variety of blues and blues-related styles. It covers a wide range of standard blues formats which the aspiring harpist is likely to encounter at sessions or when jamming with friends. It is also suitable as practise material for the advanced player. The CD contains one full version of each title (with harp) and one playback version (without harp). There are 11 compositions in all. The books offer transcriptions of all themes and endings plus chord charts - lead sheets for harp - and every tune is discussed in detail.For more info see my website www.stevebaker.de

Now Available as downloads from Artist Ahead's online shop:
CLICK HERE FOR DOWNLOADS ..

Available in other countries from:
www.musicroom.com
www.harponline.de

THE HARP HANDBOOK

Music Sales, 1st edition 1990
3rd revised edition, Wise Publications 1999
Book & CD, ISBN 0-7119-4919-0



This book is available at www.amazon.com and  www.amazon.de

The English version of The Harp Handbook is also available in stores or online from www.musicroom.com

When it initially appeared in 1990, The Harp Handbook was the first serious book about the diatonic harp ever to be published. It rapidly attained cult status among the emerging new generation of modern harmonica players and is still considered to be the standard work on the instrument.

"It is excellent. The first real book written about the diatonic harmonica." (Howard Levy)

"Steve Baker is an innovator. This is one of the best books that's ever been put out." (Lee Oskar)

"This book is a milestone." (American Harmonica Newsletter)

"Here is the book we've all been waiting for. It is the best and most comprehensive book about diatonic harmonicas ever written." (Peter Madcat Ruth)

"An invaluable reference work for anyone who is serious about the harmonica" (harpchat).

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CHRIS JONES & STEVE BAKER

The following CDs are all available from
www.acoustic-music.de
www.amazon.de
or they can be downloaded from the iTunes Music Store

.."SLOW ROLL"..
.."EVERYBODY'S CRYING MERCY"..
.."SMOKE AND NOISE"..
.."GOTTA LOOK UP"..

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"Do It Yourself" - Chris Jones & Steve Baker"

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Record Label:

Acoustic Music Records