Robert Baker
When Robert Baker was six years old, his parent's neighbours in a small Yorkshire village, were disturbed by his constant nagging to his mum and dad to send him to piano lessons. They gave in, and after four years of lessons he became an accomplished young musician, and at the age of ten he taught himself to play the organ and was soon playing at the local church.
Not content with these two instruments, he tucked another couple of achievements under his belt by learning the clarinet and the saxophone and wanting to become more proficient gained his Graduate Diploma in Light Music.
Since then, this has led to an impressive resume, working with stars such as Sandy Powell, Ken Platt, Frankie Howard, Cardew Robinson, Peter Goodwright Ken Goodwin and Frankie Vaughn... to name but a few.
When Robert worked in pantomime with Davy Jones, star of "The Monkees" TV. show, it led to a call from Mr Jones asking him to be his personal Musical Director which took him on the QE2 to New York and back, to The Lakeside Country Club and a TV appearance on "Pebble Mill at One."
Till recently Robert and his wife Janette had a production company producing shows and pantomimes, visiting theatres such as St Helens Theatre Royal, Bridlington Spa, Doncaster Civic Theatre and Winsford Civic Hall where the pantomime run lasted for 20 years!
Summer seasons have been at many of Gt. Britain's seaside resorts such as Mablethorpe, Skegness, Great Yarmouth and Bridlington with the ‘Black and White Minstrel Show’ followed by ‘Olde Tyme Music Hall’ Starring Ray Alan and Lord Charles, Alan Randall, Bernie Clifton, Ross King, Susan Maughan, Bob Carrolgees and Jimmy Cricket. Jersey with the ‘Stuart Gillies Show,’ and a tour with the legendary Band Leader and Drummer Eric Delaney.
Robert spent nine years as Musical Director with Jimmy Cricket touring up and down the country with his show and the last five years has been spent cruising many countries around the world with Royal Caribbean and P & O Cruises to places such as The Caribbean, Russia, the Mediterranean and South America.
Robert is currently the organist at his local church and teaches piano and organ privately, and in the evenings plays with the rock band ‘Storytellers Night.’
Leeds College of Music - gaining Graduate Degree in Light Music
References
References can be obtained from Jimmy Cricket's manager Dale Mulgrew. dale.mulgrew@zen.co.uk
