EPK
SCROLL FOR HI RES PHOTOS & MUSIC
Kate Baker’s love of music is the basis for two remarkable talents, as a singer and an educator.
A musician’s singer with a high level of musicianship, she regularly performs in a variety of settings from duo (most notably in a 20-year partnership with her late husband, legendary guitarist Vic Juris – the duo was described by the Los Angeles Times as “exciting, organic and ... completely captivating.”), to small ensemble to big band. Over the years, other giants of jazz she has collaborated with include Claudio Roditi, Norman Simmons, Harvie S., Helio Alves, Steve Wilson, Houston Person, the late Richie Cole and the Alto Madness Orchestra, Dick Oatts, Dave Stryker, Dave Liebman, Todd Coolman, Rachel Z. Hakim and Duduka Da Fonseca.
Kate has performed at venues and festivals all over the world, including the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Euro Meet, Carini and Pergine Spettacolo Jazz Festivals in Europe, as well as all over the Tri- State area, including the Berkshire, Tarrytown, JVC, and OSPAC Jazz Festivals, the Blue Note, Birdland, Jazz Forum, Jazz Standard, and Greenwich Village mainstay, the 55 Bar.
Her recording credits include appearances on Blue Horizon, (Steeplechase) Vic Plays Victor Young (Steeplechase) and A Second Look (Mel Bay Records), all with Vic Juris. She is also on American Classics with Richie Cole and the Alto Madness Orchestra. Her new and rst ocial release is Return to Shore, a true love story with her late Husband Vic Juris. Her current band includes Rachel Z on piano, Sara Caswell on violin, Paul Bolenbeck on guitar, Jay Anderson on bass and Tim Horner on drums.
"I’m moved by the beauty, how Kate tells a story with the lyrics in such a personal way and the palpable connection between her and Vic - whose playing is on another level here.”
— Dave Stryker
"This recording by Kate Baker & Vic Juris is a beautiful and intimate journey with deep expression on each piece of music. It gives us the sense of their passion and love for each other within this repertoire."
— Joe Lovano
"'Return to Shore,' the posthumous duo release of Vic Juris with his wife and musical collaborator, vocalist Kate Baker, is just beautiful. The program is particularly poignant. I found it impossible to listen to 'I’ve Grown Accustomed To His Face' and not shed a tear. Kate is in rare voice…expressive, honest, and lovely in every way. As always, Vic’s playing is astonishing while also supportive. A great addition to the recorded legacy of Vic and the deep connection he shared with Kate." -Jay Anderson “This recording is a masterpiece on so many levels..touching, reflective, lyrical and above all musical qualities. This is a recording with love and mutual respect ringing clear as a bell, infused with many deep musical and life qualities. Kate’s emotional vocabulary is striking, nuanced and bold. We all miss Vic....however this recording leaves testimony to the love that permeates the music. Rest in peace Victor,” -Dave Liebman “The opening track, God Only Knows, gives the listener an idea of what they are in for - an absolutely gorgeous heart-imbued experience. The world of music was devastated by the loss of Vic Juris, but here he leaves us a most beautiful calling card - something to ease our own pain and cause us to smile with wonder at his incredible guitar work. Kate Baker is sublime on this recording. Her voice is pure and compelling and she always employs it to serve the song, never to merely show off her technique. The real payoff here, though, is in the conversation between these two artists. It is a conversation which is at times playful, and at other times heartbreaking. But what this recording is most of all is a testament - A testament to the fact that even after all else falls away, love remains.” - Joe Locke “Return To Shore, the impossibly tender duo offering from vocalist Kate Baker and recently passed guitar icon Vic Juris has the gravitas of a musical love story 25 years in the making. We’re privy to an intimate conversation between consummate artists as they write a final chapter together - an ode to each other and to the music they both created and loved. Heartrending and transcendent,” - Kate McGarry "Baker is a world class jazz singer, the pellucid, soulful voice and fluid phrasing enable her to personalize the music including her own poetic, searing lyrics, at once universal and intensely introspective." -Ted Panken
