Michael Baird

Born 1954, Lusaka, Zambia, British nationality, first 10 years in Zambia then ‘repatriated’ to England and resident in Holland since he was thirteen. 

Drummer/composer/producer and field recordist.

Michael Baird on tour aged 10 months, Northern Province, Zambia

by Jennifer Baird-Webb

From 1975-83 drummer in all Gijs Hendriks’ (NL) groups from trio to 12-piece band, also played and recorded with amongst others Slide Hampton (USA), Raul Burnet (CUR), Kenny Drew (USA), Sonny Grey (JAM), Siegfried Kessler (D), Michel Graillier (F), Michel Herr (B), Joe Diorio (USA), Jan Akkerman (NL), Wim Overgaauw (NL), Stan Tracey (GB), Kenny Wheeler (CAN).

Michael Baird in 1976, with Bert van Erk, Gijs Hendriks, Slide Hampton, Kenny Drew.

by Ton van Leeuwen

Founded own label SWP Records in 1986. Led own group Sharp Wood from 1986-96. Other own groups: sextet Pygmees & Elephants in 1995, octet Utrecht Deep Artment in 1997-99, quintet CapeAbility in 2000, sextet Trendy 3D Junk in 2000-02, solo project Gongs And Bells in 2002-3, sextet African Abstractions in 2004-05, sextet TranceMission in 2009, initiator of Rhythm Orgy series in Utrecht 2008-'11, octet Utrick City Impro Collective 2010-'11, various other projects and composition commissions.

Michael Baird in 1996

by Jaap van de Klomp

Michael Baird in 1996

by Hugo Gosse

Also played in the André Jaume(F)/Jean-Marc Montera (F) Quintet, in the quintet Vogelvijf led by Tjitze Vogel (NL), in the Dick de Graaf (NL)/Serge Lazarevitch (F) Quartet, in various settings with pianist Arend Nijenhuis (NL), and in the sextet MOT led by Steven Kamperman (NL).

In own groups played and recorded with amongst others: Broer van den Bogaart (NL), Hans Hasebos (NL), Albert Veenendaal (NL), Jogi Gillis (SUR), Michel Massot (B), Marianne Pousseur (B), Michiel Borstlap (NL), Ben Gerritsen (NL), David Tronzo (USA), Vitold Rek (PL), Michael Moore (USA), Michel Godard (F), Mark Lotz (D), Tjitze Vogel (NL), Paul Weiling (D), Konkie Halmeyer (CUR), Kofi Ayivor (GHA), Ousmane Seye (SEN), Jeroen van Vliet (NL), Zoumana Diarra (MALI), Rick van Heerden (SA), Kamal al Hors (MAR), Patrick Votrian (USA), Oké Sene (SEN), Layba Diawara (GUI), Lamin Kuyateh (GAM), Ebou Gaye Mada (GAM), Mamour Seck (SEN).

Michael Baird in 2000

by Károly Effenberger

Compiled and produced the monumental 22-cd series 'Historical Recordings by Hugh Tracey' of African music from the 40s and 50s, released by SWP Records. Extensive research of central, eastern and southern African music. Made own field recordings in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, in 1996, 2002, 2006, 2008 - also released by SWP Records.

Michael Baird in 2004

by Ton van Leeuwen

Michael Baird in 2005

by Jaap van de Klomp

Michael Baird in 2009: “I see myself as a ‘modernist’, but all that means is that I am in a position to steal from all over the place. People ask me what kind of music I make - what can one say, other than you have to hear it. So these days I say: It's a bit jazzy, a bit African, and a bit abstract, which I mix up as I want - all ingredients which may be as old as the world, but it is still my soup!”

See also what the press has said about Michael Baird and his music - check the reviews.

Michael Baird with kankobela master Aaron Nchenje,
Zambia 2008

by Boudewijn Koole