Chuck Baker

“Chuck Baker’s unique sound actively dissolves the traditional boundaries between blues, rock, jazz and even funk. He splendidly fractures the iconic mold of folk, delivering a complex blend of keen riffs, exciting composition, erudite songwriting and an arrestingly percussive style of guitar that punctuates brilliantly.” Nancy Falconer On the Bay Magazine“Chuck Baker is like The Undesirables in one person.” Jennifer Metcalfe LU Radio Thunder BayTo really appreciate Chuck Baker is to see him play live. Check him out at a folk festival or living room show near you. His performances are engaging and infectious. Chuck has opened for a long list of Canadian treasures including David Francey, Fred Eaglesmith, The Rheostatics, Catherine Wheatley, Wendell Ferguson, and The Silver Hearts.Baker’s latest independent release a little piece of quiet earned him a spot at Mariposa Folk Festival in Orillia, ON, Red Rock Folk Festival in Thunder Bay, ON, Canadian Music Concert Series in Collingwood, ON and Knox Acoustic Cafe Concert Series in Owen Sound, ON.His song On the Radio has been featured on CBC Radio One and Northern Tracks (The PEAK FM Collingwood). Baker won first place in the 2006 Collingwood Live Songwriter’s Showdown and has also been a featured performer at the Orillia Folk Society’s Up and Coming songwriter’s showcase series and Collingwood’s Songwriter’s Stage since 2003.Chuck Baker’s music has been described as many things, but for Baker it’s just being honest that counts. His long awaited first album a little piece of quiet is just that. “It’s an honest record. It’s all about meaning it”, he explains. “Tom Waits, for instance – when he sings the line ‘I love you’, he sells it because he means it. And what made Johnny Cash so great? He meant it. I try to choose my lyrics carefully, and I try to mean what I sing. I think we’re all just trying to write good songs.”Baker also holds an MFA from the University of Waterloo and his portfolio of solo and group exhibitions, awards and grants is longer than the song list on his latest disc. He is currently head of Visual Arts, Dramatic Arts and Music at Stayner Collegiate Institute in Stayner, Ontario.