the music of norman baker
Norman Baker transcends the musical world with his poetic lyrics and whimsical melodies. His songs are reminiscent of the fairy tales we read as children and held close to our hearts as we grew up; stories of magical creatures and life-changing journeys. Inspired by significant events in his life, Baker's music is carefully crafted to be thought-provoking, and at times, amusing, as he often pokes fun at himself.
"I must admit I have trouble living in the now, and dwell on the future. I'm merely a spec progressing on a time-line, re-living, but trying to erase, ancient mistakes of past lives while trimming my path through the jungle for tomorrow."
Baker is a musical mastermind and his solo music reveals just one of his many personalities. It exists as a separate entity and takes on a life of its own with a unique indie folk sound that ranges from upbeat to melancholy.
"I consider this music a separate personality from my own as it has nothing to do with music I listen to these days or the other music I play."
Influenced by the likes of Gigi, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Nick Gold, Tony Allen, Jai Uttal, First Degree, Anthony Hamilton, and Patsy Cline, Baker began writing and playing music at the age of 12. Born into a musical family, he studied with his uncle, local jazz guitarist/drummer Milo Petersen, and played with many musical greats such as Brazilian jazz pianist/percussionist/composer Jovino Santos Neto, jazz trombonist Robin Eubanks, and reggae drummer Wadi Gad from Barbados.
Baker has been involved in several well-received projects during his musical career and has performed in the US, Canada, Chile, and Nigeria, where he studied Afrobeat and Highlife music among the Igbo tribe with his mentor artist Eze Anamelechi. He currently fronts Man Rockwell (indie/rock), plays bass and sings backing vocals in Dub Lounge (dub/reggae), Sky Wheel (blues/funk/R&B), and for the Jamaican reggae pioneer Winston "Flames" Jarrett, in addition to producing a handful of other artists.
the art of not knowing
Norman Baker writes, composes, and produces all of his music, including the nine songs on his long-awaited debut solo album, The Art of Not Knowing, released by Ancient Vessel. In addition to singing and playing guitar, Baker impresses with his vast musical talents by playing bass, organ, drums, and percussion. Instrumentation is completed by several guest artists such as Bill Patton, Laurianne, Rachel Bowman, Naphtali Ebna-Hakim Rachid, Randall Neal, as well as many other fine players including his uncle Milo Petersen and both his parents. The Art of Not Knowing consists songs written by Baker between 2000 and 2007 that he has nurtured to the point of perfection.
"I'm glad I waited this long to record them as it's given me time enough to arrange, re-arrange, and produce them in a way that I might not have five years ago."