It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Andy Baker following a battle with cancer.
Andy was a highly accomplished musician who lived locally and became a presenter on KeeP 106 producing over 100 programmes featuring his choice of favourite music and specialist knowledge.
As a bass player he performed with many well-known musicians as well as joining the Bournemouth Sinfonietta in 1978, both on stage and becoming the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s community musician working in schools and other community settings.
Andy Worth, Chair of KeeP 106, paid this tribute:
“I have known Andy Baker for many years, mainly through my work supporting schools for Dorset County Council. Andy’s ability to engage with pupils and boost their confidence has resulted in many careers, and not only in the sphere of music.
“Andy’s knowledge of professional recording and performance along with the people he knew, was a topic of discussion between us. As a professional master bass instrument player covering almost every genre, his memories of those sessions and working with many well-known names and orchestras were a joy to hear.
“During the COVID outbreak I devised a radio programme that gave my friends the opportunity to be involved with no contact or need to attend the KeeP 106 radio studios. The concept for ‘Friends Choice’ was for them to send me a list of their musical choices with a script giving the reasons for choosing them, which I would read out. Andy was very keen to do this! Thus, Mr Andy Baker’s interest in radio presentation was born and as soon as he had the time Andy offered to record and present a radio show for KeeP 106 which he called “Whatever Next?”. Mr Andy Baker, always the giver and exceptionally community minded, continued to wow his radio followers until he could do it no more.
R.I.P. Mr Andy Baker, my friend and colleague.”
Dougie Scarfe OBE DL, Chief Executive of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, shared this tribute via WhatsApp:
“In these days when working in communities is a core part of many orchestras’ mission, it is easy to forget that it has not always been the case. Andy was the first full time community musician working for any orchestra in the UK and he was a pioneer. Whether in schools in West Howe, on the wards at Alderney Hospital, in community settings with Resonate Strings, a creative residency on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall or playing the bass guitar for BSO Voices, Andy’s passion, care, and enthusiasm was infectious, and his presence was always inspiring.
“For those of you who did not know Andy I urge you to read this profile from Dorset Life in 2015: https://dorsetlife.co.uk/2015/02/music-in-the-community-bso-community-musician-andy-baker/
“I know many of you worked very closely with Andy for many years and loved him dearly, and we offer our sincere condolences to you as we do his family.”
See below for three programmes in which Andy was involved, broadcast by KeeP 106, which might be of interest. There are more here: mixcloud.com/keep106/
