Matt Baker
Bass, Distinguished guest artist
Matt Baker will be joining us August 12-20.
Matthew Baker is a versatile double bassist and baryton player with a distinguished career in classical and chamber music. Beginning professionally at 13 with the Sioux City Symphony
Orchestra, he later served as their principal double bass. His performances and recordings have garnered international recognition, including critical acclaim in publications like The Strad and Gramophone. Baker has a significant recording history with Naxos Records, notably his ongoing work since 2016 with the Elan Quintet (now Ensemble Telos) in resurrecting and recording the string quintets of George Onslow. He also publishes his own critical editions of these works through ISB Editions.
A key focus of his current work is the Valencia Baryton Project, a world-class ensemble dedicated to exploring the largely unknown repertoire for the baryton, a prominent instrument of the baroque and classical eras. As founder, Baker has led the ensemble in over 100 performances across Europe and the Americas. Their debut CD received significant accolades, including being named one of All Music's Best Classical CDs.
Beyond his classical pursuits, Baker is also a faculty member at Berklee College of Music's Valencia campus. His innovative work with the baryton extends into contemporary realms, including collaborations with electronic artists and performances in diverse styles such as Indian Classical and Sephardic songs. His unique contributions have been featured by Berklee Now and as a podcast in 2022.
As an educator, Matt currently is faculty at Berklee College of Music (Valencia Campus) as well as at the ESMAR Conservatory in L’Eliana, Spain. He was also the founder of the jazz bass department at the Conservatorio Superior de Valencia before his move to Berklee and has participated as chamber music faculty at Encuentros de Música of the Conservatorio Profesional in Valencia, the Rushmore Music Festival in the USA, and now at Rosamunde Summer Music Academy & Festival in Canada.
Matthew Baker is a versatile double bassist and baryton player with a distinguished career in classical and chamber music. Beginning professionally at 13 with the Sioux City Symphony
Orchestra, he later served as their principal double bass. His performances and recordings have garnered international recognition, including critical acclaim in publications like The Strad and Gramophone. Baker has a significant recording history with Naxos Records, notably his ongoing work since 2016 with the Elan Quintet (now Ensemble Telos) in resurrecting and recording the string quintets of George Onslow. He also publishes his own critical editions of these works through ISB Editions.
A key focus of his current work is the Valencia Baryton Project, a world-class ensemble dedicated to exploring the largely unknown repertoire for the baryton, a prominent instrument of the baroque and classical eras. As founder, Baker has led the ensemble in over 100 performances across Europe and the Americas. Their debut CD received significant accolades, including being named one of All Music's Best Classical CDs.
Beyond his classical pursuits, Baker is also a faculty member at Berklee College of Music's Valencia campus. His innovative work with the baryton extends into contemporary realms, including collaborations with electronic artists and performances in diverse styles such as Indian Classical and Sephardic songs. His unique contributions have been featured by Berklee Now and as a podcast in 2022.
As an educator, Matt currently is faculty at Berklee College of Music (Valencia Campus) as well as at the ESMAR Conservatory in L’Eliana, Spain. He was also the founder of the jazz bass department at the Conservatorio Superior de Valencia before his move to Berklee and has participated as chamber music faculty at Encuentros de Música of the Conservatorio Profesional in Valencia, the Rushmore Music Festival in the USA, and now at Rosamunde Summer Music Academy & Festival in Canada.
