Bruce Baker - Baritone and Soprano Saxophone

Personal Background: 

Bruce has been playing primarily tenor Sax since the early 70‘s paying significant dues with an Italian wedding band specializing in traditional Spanish, Portuguese and Italian music including a significant amount of 70’s disco, lounge and middle of the road rock.   This six year stint funded a university education and helped make the transition from Glebe Collegiate high school band member to professional Musician. Bruce has been involved in a wide variety of musical projects favouring swing and jump bands. He has also played extensively in various R&B bands ranging from 50-60's show bands, through to county, funk, jazz and blues.  

 Musical Background:

Anything and everything, from the hard driving swing and riffing sounds of Louis Jordon, Cab Calloway, Benny Goodman, to the orchestrations of Maynard Ferguson, Ellington, Arti Shaw and Woody Herman.  Saxophone influences are a little harder to pin down but clearly Junior Walker, King Curtis, and Stan Getz, played a role in shaping Bruce’s sound.  Other influences would include Blood Sweat and Tears, Chicago, Bill Chase, Tower of Power and Joe Jackson.

 The Funktion:

A multi instrumentalist playing saxophones, clarinet, keyboards and guitar, Bruce has joined The FunKtion to tackle his latest challenge “the Baritone Sax”.  Playing funk tunes on Bari sax with the talented musicians in The FunKtion, is an exciting and rewarding musical experience.