Jalen Baker

Jalen Baker, born in Washington DC and raised in Houston, TX, is a vibraphonist, percussionist, educator, and composer whose early training involved both classical and jazz. He decided rather early on to focus on jazz and in May 2017, Jalen received his BA in Jazz Studies from Columbia College Chicago. While matriculating at Columbia College Jalen studied with percussionist Jarrett Hicks. He distinguished himself as a jazz vibraphonist and received several accolades including outstanding soloist at both the Notre Dame and Elmhurst Jazz Festivals and was one of two students chosen to represent Columbia at the Arcevia Jazz Festival in Arcevia Italy. While in Chicago Jalen was also an active musician playing in various venues around town with the Jarrard Harris Quartet, The Dod Kalm Quartet, and his own group Musiki Tano. He was also chosen to be a member of the Chicago Next Gen Allstars by the Chicago Jazz institute. He has been an active performer with the Leon Anderson Quartet, The Ulysses Owens Trio and The Ulysses Owens Quartet as well as leading his own band Musiki Tano in venues in and around Georgia and Northern Florida. Jalen was also recently the featured guest with the Savannah Jazz Orchestra. Since finishing school Jalen had become a regular on the Houston jazz scene and has continued to tour with his own quartet as well as teach privately. In 2021 Jalen won the very prestigious Jazz Roads touring grant.