Emily Dunn
“James’s ability to not only connect to his students learning needs, but act as a musical mentor was an instrumental factor in us continuing tuition online with James this year when we moved across the state. I cannot recommend James highly enough.”
Jenny Powell
“I’ve been having lessons with James for over 5 years. I was drawn to James unique style of teaching. I have enjoyed every lesson and my continued confidence in my ability to play piano. I can highly recommend James as a Piano teacher.”
Lessons
Pop/Rock/Jazz Keys
Forget what you know about traditional piano lessons – James aims to:
Foster a love of music within his students – after all, what’s music without love, hey!
Teach modern music using today’s methods – gone are the days of sight reading a sonata, he wants his students to be able to listen, groove, and jam.
Create a fun, engaging and student focused learning environment.
James Baker is a passionate and skilled contemporary musician who understands the unique skills that musicians need in todays industry.
Music Theatre & Cabaret
A Green Room Award winning musical director, James has been involved in a number of productions including:
“Winter Is Coming”, “A Hip Hikers Guide To The Galaxy”, and “The Higher The Hair The Closer To God” – Backwards Anorak (Performer, Musical Director, Composer)
“Let Dinky Die” – My Ugly Brother (Composer)
“RENT”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “High School Musical”, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” – Don Hillam Entertainment (Keyboards, Musical Director)
“The Divine Miss Bette” – Neil Gooding Productions (Performer, Musical Director)
“Hairspray”, “We Will Rock You”, “Matilda”, “Back to the 80’s” – Various (Musical Director, 1st and 2nd Keys, Sound Designer)
Weddings
Packages include:
Ceremonies
(Includes background music during guest entrance, and selected music for wedding party entrance, bride/groom entrance, signing of the register, and couples exit)
Cocktail Hours
(Background jazz piano to entertain your guests)
Take the pressure off, hire a pro, and relax knowing your guests will be entertained
Sessions & Gigs
Previous session work includes playing keys for:
Bands:
Groove Factorie
The Night Shift
The Baker Boys
M and the Best Men
Kapooka Army Band
One Shot Too Many
Good Time Charlie
Joe Conroy & The Phantom 309
Recordings:
AM Records
Robbie Mortimer
Daniel Tooze
Jess Crossman
James Keith
Joel Harrison
Anonymous George
Cherie Calder-Medway
Joe Conroy
About James
“One hell of an accompanist”
“A groovy mutha”
“The dudes got soul”
James started learning the piano at age 12, and by age 15 had already started his professional career. You could say he took to the keys like a duck to water, and has now been working as a full time gigging musician for 19 years.
A passionate musician, particularly adept at pop/rock/jazz, James has mixtures of folk, blues & gospel stylings infused in his playing. His philosophy is simple: he’s not out to copy the recording, but to listen to the band and play whatever is needed.
Prior work has included wedding and corporate bands, wedding ceremonies and cocktail hours (solo), cabaret and music theatre, live gigs, recording sessions (in studio and remote), composition, musical direction.
When you work with James you’re gunna get lush chords, groovy rhythms, tasty licks, and a laid back professional.
After working in Australia for nearly 20 years, James is currently on an extended holiday throughout the UK and Europe – you won’t catch him playing anywhere, but please do get in contact if you wish to work with him in the future