{{short description|American jazz saxophonist and composer|bot=PearBOT 5}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Chase Baird | image = Antonio Sánchez & Migration, LantarenVenster Rotterdam 11 januari 2019 - Chase Baird (51437434665).jpg | caption = | image_size = | landscape = N | birth_name = | alias = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1988|03|18}} | birth_place = Seattle, United States | death_date = | origin = | instrument = Saxophone, EWI, guitar, piano, voice | genre = Jazz, fusion, indie rock, electronic, Americana | occupation = Musician, composer, educator | years_active = | label = Soundsabound Records | website = {{URL|chasebaird.com}} }}
'''David''' "'''Chase'''" '''Baird''' (born March 18, 1988) is an American saxophonist, guitarist, wind synthesist, composer, songwriter and music educator.<ref name="pasatiempo">{{cite web|title =On Principle: Saxophonist Chase Baird |first=Bill|last=Kolhasse |date=February 21, 2014 |publisher=Pasatiempo| url =http://www.santafenewmexican.com/pasatiempo/music/in_concert/on-principle-saxophonist-chase-baird/article_f191abae-c624-53f0-a09c-03ce360721d7.html| format =HMTL| accessdate =June 20, 2014 }}</ref>
== Biography == ===Early life=== Baird was born in Seattle, Washington.<ref name="park record">{{cite web|title=Meet saxophone prodigy Chase Baird|first=Alisha|last=Self|publisher=Park Record|url=http://www.parkrecord.com/ci_15881103|format=HMTL|accessdate=June 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810011523/http://www.parkrecord.com/ci_15881103|archive-date=August 10, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was introduced to music at an early age by his father, a trumpet player who played in rock bands and doubled on an eclectic collection of instruments, including saxophone, flute, Rhodes, synthesizer and percussion.<ref name="best saxophone">{{cite web|title=Sax Man Chase Baird on Hanging with Brecker, East Coast vs. West Coast, Ditching the Doubles, and More|first=Zach |last=Sollitto |date=April 23, 2020 |publisher=Best Saxophone Website Ever|url=https://www.bestsaxophonewebsiteever.com/sax-man-chase-baird-on-practicing-east-coast-vs-west-coast-ditching-the-doubles-and-more/|format=HMTL|accessdate= May 1, 2020}}</ref><ref name="park record"/> His family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1996. He began to play the saxophone around age ten, and eventually studied jazz and improvisation for several years with saxophonist Alan Braufman.<ref name="park record"/>
During his teenage years, Baird became highly influenced by the music of saxophonist Michael Brecker. A chance encounter with drummer Jeff Hamilton inspired Baird to try to connect with Brecker directly for music lessons. Baird's family made contact via Brecker's manager and Brecker agreed to meet in person next time he traveled through Salt Lake City in early 2003. Although brief, Baird cites Brecker's mentorship around this time as influential on the trajectory of his career.<ref name="pasatiempo"/><ref name="park record"/><ref name="Brecker Concert">{{cite web|title =Colleagues, Collaborators Remember Michael Brecker in NYC Concert |first=Ted|last=Panken|work=Down Beat|date=January 27, 2017 | url =http://downbeat.com/news/detail/colleagues-collaborators-remember-michael-brecker-in-nyc-concert| format =HMTL| accessdate =February 8, 2017}}</ref><ref name="best saxophone" />
Baird's family relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2004. He collaborated with other young musicians, including pianist Julian Waterfall Pollack, composer/arranger Kyle Athayde and trumpeter Billy Buss during this time.<ref name="Pollack">{{cite web|title =Julian Pollack in Mendocino for Family Biz |first=David |last=Wiegand |work=San Francisco Chronicle | url =http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Julian-Pollack-in-Mendocino-for-family-biz-3181303.php| format =HMTL| accessdate =March 3, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="Acalanes">{{cite web|title =MJF Announces Next Generation Jazz Orchestra|first=|last= | url =https://www.j-notes.com/2005/04/mjf_announces_next_generation/| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20200922090936/https://www.j-notes.com/2005/04/mjf_announces_next_generation/| url-status =usurped| archive-date =September 22, 2020| format =HMTL| accessdate =May 4, 2020 }}</ref>
===2006–present=== Baird attended Diablo Valley College for one year, primarily studying psychology. He later transferred to California State University, Long Beach to study music, notably with saxophonists Eric Marienthal, Sal Lozano and Jay Mason. He left after two years and eventually relocated to New York City, where he enrolled at The Juilliard School (studying with Ron Blake, Steve Wilson, Joe Temperley, Frank Kimbrough, Kendall Briggs and others) and completed an undergraduate degree.<ref name="audiophile">{{cite web|title =Chase Baird – Crosscurrent – Junebeat Records |first=Tim |last=Taylor |date=April 4, 2011 |publisher=Audiophile Audition | url =http://audaud.com/2011/04/chase-baird-–-crosscurrent-–-junebeat-records/| format =HMTL| accessdate =December 5, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="pasatiempo"/><ref name="juilliard originals">{{cite web| title =Juilliard Jazz Ensembles Perform Student Original Compositions| work =Juilliard Journal| url =http://www.juilliard.edu/about/newsroom/2012-13/juilliard-jazz-ensembles-perform-student-original-compositions-my-point-view| format =HMTL| accessdate =December 26, 2016| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20161227062534/http://www.juilliard.edu/about/newsroom/2012-13/juilliard-jazz-ensembles-perform-student-original-compositions-my-point-view| archive-date =December 27, 2016| url-status =dead}}</ref><ref name="Nextbop Ripcord">{{cite web|title =Stream Saxophonist Chase Baird's Lead Single "Ripcord" Off 'A Life Between' (Premiere) |first=Sébastien |last=Hélary |publisher=Nextbop |url =https://www.nextbop.com/blog/stream-saxophonist-chase-bairds-lead-single-ripcord-off-a-life-between-premiere| format =HMTL| accessdate =July 20, 2019}}</ref><ref name="best saxophone" />
In 2009, he was featured in the soundtrack to ''Emancipated'', a film by P.K. Ziainia with music by composer Rodrigo Denis.<ref name="imdb">{{cite web|title =Emancipated: Full Cast & Crew |publisher=IMDb | url =https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1491599/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast| format =HMTL| accessdate =December 5, 2014 }}</ref>
Baird recorded and released his debut album, ''Crosscurrent'', in 2010, featuring pianist Julian Waterfall Pollack, guitarist John Storie, bassist Christopher Tordini, drummer Steve Lyman and percussionist James Yoshizawa.<ref name="sfgate" /><ref name="allaboutjazz">{{cite web|title =Chase Baird: Crosscurrent |first=Bruce|last=Lindsay |work=All About Jazz|date=October 7, 2010 | url =http://www.allaboutjazz.com/crosscurrent-chase-baird-junebeat-records-review-by-bruce-lindsay.php| accessdate =June 20, 2014 }}</ref>
Baird joined drummer Antonio Sánchez's group ''Migration'' in 2018, recording both saxophone and Electronic Wind Instrument on the group's critically acclaimed album ''Lines in the Sand''.<ref name="Migration rolling stone">{{cite magazine|title =Song You Need to Know: Antonio Sanchez, 'Bad Hombres y Mujeres' |first=Hank|last=Shteamer |magazine=Rolling Stone|date=January 23, 2019 | url =https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/antonio-sanchez-birdman-drummer-anti-trump-bad-hombres-y-mujeres-782659/| format =HMTL| accessdate =February 4, 2019 }}</ref> He also co-led the band ''Venture'', alongside drummer Mike Clark, vibraphonist Mark Sherman and electric bassist Felix Pastorius. The group released their first album ''Life Cycle'' on Ropeadope Records.<ref name="Venture at Falcon">{{cite web|title =Venture, LIVE at the Falcon |work=Poughkeepsie Journal |url =http://events.poughkeepsiejournal.com/marlboro_ny/events/venture-live-falcon-/E0-001-104201008-7| format =HMTL| accessdate =March 13, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Nextbop Ripcord" />
Baird released ''A Life Between'', his second album as a leader in August 2019. The recording features Brad Mehldau, Antonio Sánchez, Nir Felder and Dan Chmielinski.<ref name="Nextbop Ripcord"/><ref name="WBGO">{{cite web|title =Take Five, All-Star Edition: Bold New Music by Crosscurrents Trio, Kris Davis, Tim Ries & More|first=Nate |last=Chinen |date=August 12, 2019 |publisher=WGBO |url =https://www.wbgo.org/post/take-five-all-star-edition-bold-new-music-crosscurrents-trio-kris-davis-tim-ries-more| format =HMTL| accessdate =August 14, 2019}}</ref> He collaborated with drummer Steve Lyman to compose, record and produce the electro-acoustic composition ''Pulsar'', later released in July 2020.<ref name="pulsar">{{cite video |people=Steve Lyman |date=July 9, 2019 |title= Steve Lyman Pulsar Performance |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc8r0mbWA9A |accessdate=January 14, 2020}}</ref>
He has performed or recorded with artists Chaka Khan, Bill Champlin, Matthew Morrison, Jakob Dylan, Diana Degarmo, Chloe Agnew and Morgan James.<ref name="Brecker Concert"/><ref name="morrison">{{cite news|title =Cool Song-and-Dance Man Coolly Sings and Dances: Matthew Morrison's Show Nods to Cory Monteith at 54 Below |first=Stephen |last=Collar Holden |work=The New York Times|date=July 15, 2013 | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/16/arts/music/matthew-morrisons-show-nods-to-cory-monteith-at-54-below.html| format =HMTL| accessdate =September 8, 2014}}</ref><ref name="James">{{cite web|title =Hunter Morgan James |first= |last= |work=All Music| url =https://www.allmusic.com/album/hunter-mw0002662522/credits| format =HMTL| accessdate =January 25, 2021}}</ref> He has also worked with jazz and fusion artists including Chris Botti, Mike Stern, Antonio Farao, Aaron Parks, Thana Alexa, Dennis Chambers, Gary Grainger, Gene Perla, Dan Tepfer, Thomas Dawson, Victor Wooten, Keith Carlock, Circuit Kisser and the Mingus Big Band, among others.<ref name="sfgate">{{cite web|title =CD Review: Chase Baird, Crosscurrent |first=David|last=Wiegand |work=San Francisco Chronicle| url =http://www.sfgate.com/music/article/CD-review-Chase-Baird-Crosscurrent-3253296.php| format =HMTL| accessdate =June 20, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="soundsabound">{{cite web|title =Chase Baird | url =http://www.chasebaird.com| format =HMTL| accessdate =March 13, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="milan">{{cite web|title =From Birdman to the unique magic of the Blue Note. No words, only applause for Antonio Sanchez |first=Kevin|last=Ben Ali Zinati |date=March 27, 2017 |publisher=La Provincia di Varese |url =http://www.laprovinciadivarese.it/stories/eventi-e-mostre/da-birdman-alla-magia-unica-del-blue-note-niente-parole-solo-applausi-per-anto_1230681_11/| format =HMTL| accessdate =June 22, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="eklektik">{{cite web|title =Antonio Faraò alla Nave de Vero |date=July 24, 2019 |publisher=Il Gazzettino| url =https://www.ilgazzettino.it/pay/venezia_pay/antonio_farao_alla_nave_de_vero_voglio_sorprendere_il_pubblico-4637471.html| format =HMTL| accessdate =July 29, 2019}}</ref><ref name="pasatiempo"/> His work as a featured soloist with the Kyle Athayde Dance Party has garnered over one million views on YouTube.<ref name="athayde">{{cite web|title =Mario Kart 64 - Main Theme |first= |last= |website= YouTube|date= March 17, 2016| url =https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJG4FMSSprw| format =HMTL| accessdate =January 25, 2021}}</ref>
Chase additionally plays guitar, acoustic and electric, with his sister Christine Baird and her band Rocky Mountain Soul.<ref name="rockymountain">{{cite web|title =Chase Baird Bio |first= |last= |website= www.soundsaboundrecords.com| url =https://www.soundsaboundrecords.com/chase-baird| format =HMTL| accessdate =May 3, 2024}}</ref>
==Selected discography==
===As leader=== *''Pulsar'' (Outside In Music, 2020) with Steve Lyman, J3PO (Julian Pollack) & Dan Chmielinski *''A Life Between'' (Soundsabound Records, 2019) with Brad Mehldau, Nir Felder, Dan Chmielinski and Antonio Sanchez<ref name="artist webpage">{{cite web|title =Chase Baird | url =http://www.chasebaird.com| format =HMTL| accessdate =March 20, 2018 }}</ref> *''Crosscurrent'' (Junebeat Records, 2010) with Julian Pollack, John Storie, Chris Tordini, Steve Lyman and James Yoshizawa<ref name="sfgate" /><ref name="allaboutjazz" />
===As co-leader=== *''Life Cycle'' (Ropeadope Records, 2018) with Mark Sherman, Felix Pastorius and Mike Clark
===As sideman=== *''Trail Loop'' –Enrico Solazzo with Roberto Gatto and Chase Baird (Jazz AG Records, 2025) *''The Animal Situation'' – Thomas Dawson (Independent, 2022) *''Michael & Me'' – Jeremy Green with Victor Wooten, Keith Carlock and Chase Baird (Independent, 2020) *''Force Tranquille'' – Jean-marie Corrois (Independent, 2020) *''Faking The Moon Landing'' – Circuit Kisser (Soundsabound Records, 2019) *''Lines in the Sand'' – Antonio Sanchez & Migration (CAM Jazz, 2018)<ref name="lines">{{cite web|title =Antonio Sánchez and Migration, Lines in the Sand, CAM Jazz **** recommended |publisher=Marlbank | url =https://www.marlbank.net/4665-antonio-sánchez.html| format =HMTL| accessdate =November 28, 2018 }}</ref> *''Language of Sound and Spirit'' – Joshua Maxey (Independent, 2012)<ref name="maxey spirit">{{cite web|title =Josh Maxey: The Language Of Sound And Spirit |work=All About Jazz |date=April 28, 2012 | url =https://www.allaboutjazz.com/josh-maxey-the-language-of-sound-and-spirit-by-dave-sumner.php?width=1600| format =HMTL| accessdate =February 10, 2017 }}</ref> *''Hunter'' – Morgan James (Epic, 2014)<ref name="morgan james allmusic">{{cite web|title =Hunter |first=Matt|last=Collar |publisher=AllMusic| url =http://www.allmusic.com/album/hunter-mw0002662522/credits| format =HMTL| accessdate =June 20, 2014 }}</ref> *''Celebration of Soul'' – Joshua Maxey (Independent, 2015)<ref name="maxey soul">{{cite web|title =Celebration of Soul - Josh Maxey |publisher=AllMusic| url =http://www.allmusic.com/album/celebration-of-soul-mw0002852139/releases| format =HMTL| accessdate =February 10, 2017 }}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
== External links ==
*{{Official website| http://www.chasebaird.com/}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baird, Chase}} Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:Post-bop saxophonists Category:American jazz saxophonists Category:American male saxophonists Category:American male jazz composers Category:Juilliard School alumni Category:21st-century American saxophonists Category:Caleb Chapman's Crescent Super Band members Category:21st-century American male composers Category:21st-century American jazz composers Category:21st-century American multi-instrumentalists