Ginger Baker was once considered the musician least likely to survive the '60s. And yet, in 2014, he finds himself on the ascent. The award-winning 2012 documentary Beware of Mr. Baker brought renewed attention to his singular music, fiery and self-destructive personality, and dramatic life story. Ironically, his extreme adventurousness and impulsivity-evidenced, for example, by his leaving England and moving to Nigeria in 1970 to play and record music-are the same qualities that helped make him such a versatile and continually evolving musician. Baker has long ranked among the world's greatest drummers, and critics have deemed his recent live shows with his quartet, Jazz Confusion, some of the best work of his career. On June 24, Motéma Music releases Why?, his first new recording in 16 years, coinciding with a thirteen-date North American tour with Jazz Confusion June 14-30. (See below for an itinerary).
For his time with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted band Cream, Baker is often credited with revolutionizing rock drumming and influencing countless other rock drummers. But he has always been, first and foremost, a jazz musician. What distinguished his playing in Cream, Blind Faith and other bands, aside from his stunning virtuosity and dramatic flair, was the fact that he was essentially the first "jazz-rock fusion" drummer. He brought to rock the jazz technique he learned from his deep study of music by the likes of Baby Dodds, Max Roach, Elvin Jones and Art Blakey. Baker's setup (two bass drums instead of one) and style (improvised drum breaks and solos) made him unique amongst his peers.
Baker's love of jazz also cannot be decoupled from his deep appreciation for African music, introduced to him in the early '60s by his idol and friend Phil Seamen, and manifested in own his playing through the heavy use of toms, introducing an oft-imitated tribal sound to rock. This influence has been an essential part of Baker's style throughout his career. It is no surprise then that African rhythm is a key ingredient on Why?
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GONZO
 | Live DVD - £9.99 |
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