About

Hi, I’m Chris Baker — a drummer, percussionist and music educator who’s been working across performance, production, and teaching for over thirty years.

I was born and raised in Warwickshire, England, to British and Guyanese parents, and grew up surrounded by a rich mix of sounds and rhythms that naturally found their way into my playing. From an early age, the drums and trombone felt like an extension of that world — and I never really put them down. I cut my teeth with Youth Jazz Orchestras, building a strong foundation in ensemble performance, and was lucky to study as a teenager with musicians like Nigel Thomas (LSO, The Blue Nile) and Paul Brook (Greg Lake, Percy Sledge). Later, my path led me to London to learn from Bob Armstrong, and Los Angeles, where I studied with legends like Joe Porcaro, Ralph Humphries, and Steve Houghton.

In my early twenties, I made the move to the U.S. to deepen my studies and immerse myself in the feel and groove that American based players bring to the table. That journey took me across Europe, North and South America — performing in venues like the Royal Albert Hall, Arena di Verona, Ronnie Scott’s, and the 100 Club.

I’ve worked in legendary studios like Olympic, BBC’s…Livingston, Townhouse, Battery, and Jacobs, on sessions covering Pop, Jazz, Rock, Funk, Latin, and beyond. Along the way, I’ve worked with producers like Warne Livesey and Martin Rushent — and had my fair share of tea and moments of magic behind the glass.

While I’ve done plenty of touring and recording, I’ve always had a deep love for teaching. I’ve designed and delivered and moderated programs and courses at various London Colleges, University of East London, London Metropolitan & University of the Arts . I’ve been lucky enough to receive “Outstanding” Ofsted grades — but, my biggest reward is seeing students grow into themselves, develop their sound, and carry that into their lives and careers.

I’m not blinded by qualifications — I’ve got a few, and I respect the value of institutional, structured learning — but I’ve seen many incredible musicians, creators, and thinkers who didn’t fit the traditional mould. Talent, curiosity, and hard work still count for a lot.

Outside of teaching and performing, I founded headhandsnfeet, a project aimed at making rhythm accessible and beneficial for everyone — not just musicians. I’ve done research on the therapeutic value of music, and presented work exploring rhythm, identity, and social justice.

At heart, I’m all about groove, connection, and hopefully raising vibration whenever possible — whether I’m playing, teaching, or listening. Music is human first. Everything else is just technique.