The Jalen Baker Quartet at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

Join the Jalen Baker Quartet - consisting of Jalen Baker, vibraphone, Paul Cornish, piano, Gavin Moolchan, drums, and Gabriel Godoy, bass.

Jalen Baker, born in Washington D.C. and raised in Houston, TX, is a vibraphonist, percussionist, educator, and composer whose early training involved both classical and jazz genres.

Since 2019, Jalen has continued to distinguish himself as a performer as a Ravinia Jazz Fellow, where he studied with Rufus Reid, Billy Childs, and Tim Haggins. He has been an active performer with The Ulysses Owens Jr, Jeremy Pelt, Michael Mwenso and The Shakes, Leon Anderson, and Amina Scott quartet, leading his own band in venues in and around Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Chicago. As a band leader, Jalen received the prestigious South Arts Jazz Roads Touring Grant. He has been a featured artist with various organizations such as the Savannah Jazz Orchestra, Houston’s Da Camera, Miami’s WDNA Jazz Hour, Modern Marimba, and Live Music Movement Houston. Since 2021 Jalen has released two albums: “This is Me, This is Us” on Outside In Music in June of 2021 and “Be Still” on Cellar Live in July of 2023; both have garnered recognition from various jazz blogs and magazines.

Currently living in Houston, Jalen continues to compose and perform. His unique blend of original modern jazz compositions and standards makes for exciting live performances. He decided early on to focus on Jazz and, in May 2017, received his Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Studies from Columbia College Chicago. While matriculating at Columbia College, Jalen studied with percussionist Jarrett Hicks. Jalen was a Graduate Assistant in the Jazz Performance program at Florida State University and, in 2019, earned his Master of Music in Jazz Studies. 

Tickets: $27 

Hosts: Modern Marimba is a nonprofit arts collective based in Sarasota, Florida that celebrates music performances and education through the music of the marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, and all mallet percussion instruments. Created in 2019 by musician Tihda Vongkoth, the organization seeks to participate in the lifelong learning process by offering educational music programs and hope as they support and guide creative, resilient, and intelligent musicians.

About the venue: 

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) was founded in December 1999 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission is to produce professional theatre that promotes and celebrates African American history and experience, engages a broad base of patrons and audiences, supports the development of a dynamic group of aspiring artists and builds self-esteem in youth of color.