Brian Baggett Guitarist, Composer, Educator Lawrence, KS USA bbagg@sbcglobal.net
·Professional guitarist who gave well over 100 public performances in 2007 ·University and independent Jazz educator ·Private guitar instruction since 1994 ·Recording artist on 19 albums ·Method book author ·Music producer for video games and television ·Retail music store manager since 2001 ·Strong online presence since 2003 with hours of free music downloads
Brian Baggett is one of the top guitar players in the Midwest. He played well over 100 gigs in 2007. Brian’s innovative sound and style make him stand out in any public performance.He is a skillful guitarist with the ability to play several styles of music on a professional level.Brian studied music theory with trumpeter Chuck Tumlinson at Washburn University and privately with guitar masters Reggie Wooten and Danny Embrey. While appearing at major jazz festivals with his own groups, Brian has also played with artists like Bob Bowman, Kerry Strayer, Bobby Watson, and Todd Strait.He contributed to Bill McKemy’s two albums, Duende and OM Nidrah (Pitch Weekly’s Best Jazz Album 2003).In March of 2003 Brian was featured in Jazz Ambassador Magazine’s “Guitars Galore” issue. Brian received national exposure in March 2006 when he was featured in Guitar Player Magazine. Brian has also appeared with Ken Lovern’s OJT+B on the Kansas Public Radio show “The Jazz Scene.” A guitar teacher since 1994, Brian has been teaching some of the area’s most promising jazz guitar players. He is in high demand as both a jazz guitarist and educator.He has been a guest artist/clinician at the University of Kansas, Washburn University, KCKCC and Truman State University. He is the guitar teacher on faculty for the KU Jazz Camp since 2006. He also presented two jazz improvisation workshops based on his method book at the Americana Music Academy. In addition to playing jazz guitar, Brian led the fusion/rock band Einstein Electric.This critically-acclaimed group played major music festivals and also shared the bill with major acts like The Jerry Garcia Band and Galactic.In 2003, Brian released his first solo album The Web, a rock opera that he composed, performed and produced. The Web was released as a free download on the newly launched brianbaggettband.com website. Brianbaggettband.com continues to host hours of free downloads and sees a high traffic volume. As well as working as a sideman in several groups Brian is currently performing in Ken Lovern’s O.J.T. and leading his own trio DOJO. OJT has released two studio records and play high profile concerts like the Kansas City Plaza Art Fair and New Year’s Eve at Jardine’s Jazz Club. The group is currently working with David Basse the “voice” of Kansas City. In July of 2006 DOJO performed at “A night of Pure Guitar,” featuring members of Steve Vai’s band and artists on his Favored Nations record label. DOJO has released two studio records and a live album. Recent highlights for Brian include playing with Hammond organ legend Joey DeFrancesco and producing a video game soundtrack for Zach Parr (User Interface programmer for Neversoft by Activision – Guitar Hero). Brian has also produced music for television.
“One of the most gifted and lyrical guitarists to claim a KC connection in recent years.” -JAM Magazine
“Baggett’s incredible guitar playing falls somewhere between Holdsworth and Alex Lifeson, yet with a sound of its own.” - Guitar Player Magazine
“Brian Baggett gives you doses of Cream-Era Clapton intensity and then ups the ante by displaying lethal legato lines.” - Abstractlogix.com
Brian Baggett - Discography
Studio Recordings
2008 – DOJO - Studiojo
2007 – Ben Graham and Brian Baggett – Duets
2007 – Luke Stone – Elaborate Mess (Stone Lab Records)
2006 – Brian Baggett – 7 String Guitar
2006 – OJT+B - Bukeka Shoals with Ken Lovern’s OJT (Jazz Daddy)
2005 – DOJO – Live at the Jazzhaus
2005 – OJT - Ken Lovern’s OJT (Jazz Daddy)
2004 – DOJO - Place of the Way
2004 – Luke Stone - Science Friction (Stone Lab Records)
2003 - Bill Mckemy – OM Nidrah
2003 - Brian Baggett Band – The Web
2002 – Luke Stone – Do you have the time?
2002 – The Yards – The Yards (Bugaboo Records)
2002 – Branden Hollis – Destiny (Earmark Records)
2002 – Bill McKemy – Duende
2000 - Embius Trio – Embius Trio
1999 - Brian Baggett- Forms
1999 - Embius Trio- UTLX 42232
1997 - Einstein Electric – The Cosmic Imperitave Other Material
2005 – Keys to Unlocking the Fretboard (method book)
2007 – Monkey Space Brains (video game soundtrack) Developed by Zach Parr
(User Interface programmer for Neversoft by Activision – Guitar Hero)
2005-09-24 DeVon Pierre Jackson From the opening song entitled The Vine, Brian Baggett and DOJO immediately captivated me. With the use of an acoustic guitar and some Methenyesque coloring for the background, the melody created a perfectly painted picture of midwestern charm. The Vine is an excellent example of an easy-flowing groove that keeps you on your toes, with soulful soloing and comping. The second song entitled Bad Song is where you'll find DOJO taking you on a mysterious journey. At first Brian Baggett solos beautifully over a lush chord progression, as drummer Luke Stone shines with some awe-inspiring cymbal work. Then DOJO turns the corner with a driving rhythm segment, which paves the way for some exciting exchanges with all three musicians. With a lead tone that has a hint of overdrive and shimmering chordal stabs, you'll find yourself unable to deny the song's pull. My favorite song on the album is the third song entitled Good Morning. Those two words never sounded so good, powered by the vocal like melody of the main theme. Even though no words are spoken, you can actually hear good morning vocalized by the guitar, with a stroke of melodic genius.DOJO has a unique way of staying away from the predictable. By focusing on the song's inherent platform for heavy exploration, DOJO doesn't rely on cliched riffs and soloing. Brian Baggett gives you doses of Cream-Era Clapton intensity and then ups the ante by displaying lethal legato lines. The song ends with a masterful bass solo by Brad Maestas that shows his ability create tasteful tone and touch. The playful beginning of Lunch Time is a nice balance to the scorching come-hither offering that's to come. The rhythm section fills in all the right places with a powerful performance. The listener is treated to Brian's sax-like lines that could go on for days coupled with an unbelievable emotional depth that's usually reserved for guitarist twice Brian's age!!! Number 5 and Fun in Harmony finds the band dedicating itself to building deep churning grooves, that will cause many to play them on repeat mode. This template gives the songs texture, which rewards you with a different perspective every time you listen to them. Perhaps the most thought provoking song is the last one entitled Improvisation 1. If you are looking for proof that Brian Baggett is a guitarist to remember, you can find it here. The song is just Brian alone with an acoustic guitar. A man alone with a piece of wood and some steel, that can take something so simple and deliver an intimate conversation, is something to behold. Improvisation 1, touches on American music at it's best. With its folk-blues leanings offering visions of life at it's most precious moments, is enough of a reason to purchase this CD. Music that is visual, emotional, and spiritual, can lead us to places never imagined. DOJO-Place of the Way is just that type of music. It will stay with you long after the music has ended.
Jazz Ambassador Magazine http://www.jazzkc.org/issues/2003-02/guitarsgalore.html BRIAN BAGGETT Though his name may be new to some, Brian Baggett's recent collaborations with bassist Bill McKemy, and his previous work with the Embius Trio, have people checking him out.
Originally from Topeka, Baggett gained his first experience in an improvisational rock band called Einstein Electric, which he formed while still in high school. As his interest in jazz grew, a natural progression from the music with which he was involved, he enrolled in WashburnUniversity, played in the top jazz combo, and studied theory and improvisation with Chuck Tumlinson.
Before long, Baggett was practicing eight hours a day, seeking out veteran players like Rod Fleeman and Danny Embrey for lessons, and trying to find his voice, or "the soup," as he calls it.
"How many ingredients do you have in your soup? Just one? Or is it a dash of Scofield, a pinch of Martino, a sprinkling of Metheny, a taste of Wayne Shorter, and a hint of African music?"
His prime ingredient right now is Charlie Parker.
"I want to play saxophone on guitar. Alto sax is my favorite instrument." He also admires Pat Martino, "for his touch and picking technique," and Jim Hall. "When you listen to Jim, it's like time slows down. It has taught me to be more thoughtful."
A dedicated individual who is still learning, Baggett approaches his playing with a deep sense of spirituality. As he puts it, "I am blessed to be musician."
Brian Baggett can be heard on Bill McKemy's current CD, Duende
Published on April 10, 2003 The rock concept album is a fading artifact. Chalk it up to shrinking attention spans or the apathetic avoidance of anything that remotely resembles a movement toward art in popular culture. Yet for local guitarist Brian Baggett, it's a realm still ripe for musical exploration. The Web is Baggett's first completely self-produced solo project, but it's certainly not his first foray into the studio. He appeared with area funk-jazz act the Yards on its eponymous debut as well as on local jazz bassist Bill McKemy's first solo release, Duende. Baggett's ability to cross genres with a striking sense of ease and maturity allows him to render the ambitious breadth and width of The Web remarkably palatable. Weaving a tale of warning against the creeping dangers of modernity and the pitfalls of isolationism bred by technology, Baggett's Web doesn't stray far from the formulaic archetypes of Pink Floyd's The Wall, the Who's Tommy or even Styx's Kilroy Was Here. Baggett's cast of characters and caricatures is engaging, and the disc's central story line serves a useful roll in unifying The Web's eclectic musical offerings, but it's his healthy doses of acoustic folk, classic rock, electronica and contemporary jazz funk that truly give his creation life. It's a gutsy move for Baggett to dabble in a dying genre, but it could be the sort of gambit that garners him the attention he deserves.
Baggett is a 27-year-old solo artist from Lawrence, Kansas. Coming from a background heavily influenced by jazz, Baggett has already performed with some of the world's top jazz musicians. His first solo effort The Web is a Rock Opera that spins the story of Dr. Awkward and his computer manifestation, Mr. E; a fictitious, but realistic portrayal of life in the computer age.The task of weaving a story into a rock-opera is, in itself, a monumental task, and I found The Web interesting, captivating and musically well crafted. Integration of ambient sound bites with appropriate arrangements suited to the lyrics creates a multi-dimensional musical experience.Much like Pink Floyd'sThe Wall or The Who'sTommy, The Web is a CD that needs to be listened to from beginning to end (preferably with headphones) to appreciate its full artistic scope.The Brian Baggett Band, assembled from members of the Midwest's most accomplished ensembles, will begin performing The Web this winter. An animated film to correspond with the live performances is currently being developed.For more information on Brian Baggett, CLICK HERE
