Baker appoints new conductor

IU’s legendary musician David Baker has “passed the baton” to fellow faculty member Brent Wallarab.

Baker, chair of the Jazz Studies Department, directed the David Baker Jazz Ensemble for more than 40 years.

At 80 years old, he has decided to lighten his commitments after so many years of conducting the prolific jazz band.

“I’ve been carrying a heavy load,” Baker said. “I thought this would be a nice time for someone else to pick up the baton and do it. Brent was the obvious choice.”

Wallarab is a former student of Baker’s and was his lead trombonist in the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra of Washington D.C. for 20 years.

“I’ve always conducted one of the jazz ensembles myself,” Wallarab said. “He asked if I could conduct one this year in his absence, and of course I am very, very honored that he asked me to do that.”

Baker described Wallarab as a wonderful educator, trombonist and conductor.

“These are decisions that you make across a lot of years,” Baker said. “It was not a difficult decision. I know it’s in good hands. That’s the main thing.”

Baker was the recipient of the President’s Medal for Excellence last year during his 80th birthday celebration.

The medal was presented by IU President Michael McRobbie and is one of the most prestigious awards the University can bestow.

Wallarab’s first performance of the season was Monday night. The Brent Wallarab Jazz Ensemble kicked off the new semester as Baker watched from the audience.

“We’re definitely playing this concert, in fact our whole season, for David,” Wallarab said.

Despite the new name and change in conductor, Wallarab said the essence of the band remains the same.

“The way I look at it is that it’s still his jazz band,” Wallarab said. “It’s still the David Baker Jazz Ensemble, and he has just entrusted it with me to take good care of it in case he decides he wants to resume his conducting responsibilities.”

Wallarab said he and all the students recognize the reason the program exists and the reason they are all here is Baker.

“After him, after all these years, it’s a tremendous honor, and I am very humbled by doing that,” Wallarab said.