Tom Baker Born 14 Sept 1952 California - Died 23 Oct 2001 Breda Netherlands.
Tom Baker's family moved to Australia in 1971 arriving on Australia day. They came with the intention of building a boat to sail back to America. Unfortunately Tom's father had a heart attack and the family decided to move back to America, Tom decided to stay on with the hope of getting work. Tom got a job in a music store and played the odd gig till he got an offer to join the Ray Price Band, this allowed him to play full time. It was in this Band that he first met Pat Qua, who was Ray's piano player, and a long term relationship developed. Tom left Ray's band in 1975 and formed his own band called the San Francisco jazz band, this band ran for nearly three years and played at the Sacramento jazz festival. In 1978 Tom went to Europe with a band called the Australian Jazz ensemble, this was his introduction to Europe, (he would return every year there -after) unfortunately he developed a double hernia while away and had trouble trying to play the trumpet. To overcome this he took up saxophone and within six months was adept at the instrument. On returning to Australia Tom formed a group called Groove City originally it was to be a Basie small band but decided to play Bee Bop instead, (Tom would later describe it as starvation music). His next venture was the Chicago Seven which he formed in 1980, this band ran simultaneously with another he formed around the same time called the Swing Street Orchestra. The Chicago Seven being Toms main band always had a residency playing every week and lasted until Toms untimely death in Breda in 2001. Tom took up trombone in the latter years and became very proficient at it. He would say that he had finally found his real instrument and used to play trombone in the Geoff Bull band when he was available.
TOM THE PERSON
Tom would have to be one of the easiest people to get along with, he was a great band leader and musician. Tom never said a bad word about anybody and had lots of friends all around the world, his easy going nature and complete lack of pretension always made people around him feel comfortable. He would always encourage young musicians to sit in with his band and offer advise on playing techniques to any one who cared to listen. He loved a drink and was an OP smoker, he had a love of older cars and was no good with electrical appliances, as after he touched them they refused to work ( Pats washing machine was one victim ) he also had trouble with liquids. Tom loved cooking and was adept at making curries ( I still had six of his in my freezer when he died ) he also made his own cheeses, sausages and ice cream. Tom loved living in Australia, (he took out citizenship) he liked to jump in his car and go away fishing on his own for a weekend or week depending on work obligations. Tom toured the world constantly and was a favourite at Breda and other festivals around the world, he had a lot of friends especially here and in the Netherlands.
Paul Finnerty.
The One & Only TOM BAKER
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