Baikida Carroll
b. 15 January 1947, St Louis, Missouri, USA. Caroll studied trumpet and flugelhorn at Southern Illinois University and the Armed Forces School of Music, directing the Third Infantry Division Ensemble. He also studied music in Germany. Like many other black musicians of his generation in St Louis, Carroll gained exposure to the world of creative music via BAG (the Black Artists Group). Although associated with the avant garde, Carroll has an impressive resume, including work with blues singers Albert King and Little Milton, soul saxophonist Oliver Sain, Fontella Bassand Sam And Dave. In 1973 he left the States to live in Europe. In 1974 he issued ORANGE FISH TEARS, a deft combination of world music evocation and free jazz. Back in the USA he has worked with Oliver Lake, guitarist Michael Gregory Jackson, Muhal Richard Abrams, Jack DeJohnette, Anthony Braxton, Michelle Rosewoman and David Murrayplaying in the latter's octet and big band. His long association with Julius Hemphill has been particularly productive; Carroll plays on several of Hemphill's albums who returns the favour on SHADOWS AND REFLECTIONS. Since 1985 he has been a regular member of Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra. Baikida's vocalized playing is supported by an unerring grasp of thematic continuity, admirably demonstrated by THE SPOKEN WORD, a two record set of unaccompanied trumpet. He has also composed scores for films.