Eddie Baker, 71; Jazz Musician

[Ed Varner]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Eddie Baker, whose efforts to create a jazz hall of
fame planted the seeds for the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City, died
Tuesday after complications from heart surgery. He was 71.

Baker, a trumpeter and pianist, had led the New Breed Jazz Orchestra since the
1960s, forming close relationships with many top jazz artists. He began calling
for a jazz hall of fame as early as the 1970s.

He held what he hoped would be the first annual induction to the International
Jazz Hall of Fame in 1985 at the Music Hall. But attendance was low, despite a
star-studded roster of talent that included the Count Basie Orchestra, George
Benson and Woody Herman. He maintained the hall of fame on paper, even though
it never had a physical home.

Through the years, Baker suggested building a jazz hall in several spots in
Kansas City, including the 18th and Vine district and Union Station.

His push generated interest in the project, but the American Jazz Museum opened
under a different name in 1997 without his involvement.

He also was an original member of the Kansas City Jazz Commission, which
organized pub crawls and promoted jazz in the 1980s, and he helped organize the
Elder Statesmen of Jazz, a service organization of older musicians.

[amwel...@gmail.com]

I am Eddie's niece, Angela Wellman, aka Angie. This obit. is absent of a very crucial piece of Eddie Baker's life, The Charlie Parker Memorial Foundation and Academy of the Arts. To speak of his life and not mention his dedication to music education, is to miss what was at the foundation of his drive and motivation. He used to say "Preservation through Music Education." He was all about the preservation of Kansas City's musical legacy and contribution to the development of Jazz. Eddie Baker is the man who brought Charlie Parker back to life, naming the school after him and honoring him by removing the pauper's gravestone and installing one much more fitting. Eddie Baker was all about Kansas City Jazz. There has been no one like him since.

[lvwtra...@gmail.com]

I just ran across this. I'm happy to see that Angela has corrected this article with the inclusion of Mr. Baker as Director of the
Charlie Parker Academy which I attended as
Well. If it were not for Eddie Baker there would have been no American Jazz Museum. Where is his statue? He was the reason that all the Jazz Legends came to Kansas City, and he allowed the youngsters to meet the legends. Something I will never forget. He is my black History choice this month. I will be posting this and adding all the things that were missed about his great musical history. God bless you Eddie Baker, you are missed by friends and family. Rest In Peace!

[Angela M. Wellman]

Hello,

Angela Wellman here. I'm working on lifting up my uncle's legacy in Kansas City. It seems as though he's being forgotten. During my research today I came across this post of yours from four years ago. I hope this is your active email and that you will respond. I look forward to hearing from you. Would like you to be a part of the awakening of the legacy of Eddie Baker.

Angela Wellman