Repaved – Jalen Baker

The new album from vibraphonist and composer Jalen Baker is a stunning, archival endeavor.

Jalen Baker is deeply drawn to the vibrant history of Houston’s 3rd, 4th and 5th Wards and their role in the city’s social and cultural development. Key figures such as Jack Yates and Barbra Jordan are from these areas and have contributed greatly to the advancement of Black residents in Houston. These areas are undergoing rapid gentrification and as a 4th generation resident of 3rd ward Jalen feels a great deal of responsibility to document their history through music and art. Jazz, with its improvisatory nature, is a powerful medium for storytelling.

The freedom to interpret written music through the use of improvisation allows Baker to add an additional layer of personality and emotion into each piece. Artists such as Wynton Marsalis and Duke Ellington with their musical suites “Black Codes From The Underground” and “Black, Brown and Beige” inspired Baker to write music that dives into the history of marginalized groups and how they have helped shape the world today. His work aims not only to inform listeners of the history of something but also to inspire a sense of positive action and willingness to preserve the history that has shaped us today. Through Baker’s art he hopes to inspire and challenge listeners to be agents of change and perseverance.

Featuring Jalen Baker on vibraphone, Gabriel Godoyon on bass, Gavin Moolchan on Drums, Paul Cornish on piano, Alexandria DeWalt on flute, Tia Allen on Viola, Reenat Pinchas on Cello, Yoojin Park and Chiara Jamila on Violin.