Executive Director: Willa Eaton
Willa received her degree in Music from Iowa State University. While there she earned the distinction of principle horn in both the Wind Ensemble and Orchestra. While still attending Iowa State, Willa also performed in concert with the Drake University Orchestra as a guest performer. After college she has continued to perform professionally on Piano and Horn. She also played trumpet and horn with a jam band and bass in a folk band. She is currently composing and recording her original compositions.
Willa joined the staff of the Eddie Baker School of Music in 2011. She has taught piano, french horn, and trumpet; She wrote the curriculum for and teaches our beginning music classes; She has also arranged several pieces for the student ensembles. During 2016 Willa took charge of the school’s transition into becoming an independent entity to ensure the security and sustainability of the music program. She also plans to expand the program to include art and dance.
Her words: “I believe strongly in considering each students individuality, learning style, and personal circumstances, rather than using a one size fits all approach. I have found that being aware of these things is the most successful way to teach and inspire students of all ages and backgrounds. The amazing staff of instructors we have also understand that the importance of these lessons goes far beyond musical skills and techniques. This is why I believe so strongly that this program is so unique and important.”
Willa is also an active member on the Board of Directors for the Charlie Parker Memorial Foundation.
Director of Music Education: Greg Richter
Greg grew up as a percussionist in Wichita, Ks, where he was fortunate enough to be mentored in the art of Kansas City Jazz by none other than Jay McShann and Claude “Fiddler” Williams. Greg moved to KC during high school and studied with percussion maestro, Vince Bilardo. He attended Wichita State University, worked as a staff musician at CBS studios in Nashville, and then moved to St. Croix, USVI. Greg lived on St. Croix from 1977-1991, performing regularly as pianist with Jimmy Hamilton (featured clarinetist and arranger with Duke Ellington from 1943-1968). He has performed in concert with such diverse talents as: Cab Calloway, Little Anthony, Pat Metheny, Gary Burton, Boots Randolph, and Bobby Watson. After working as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist at the Grand Hotel Resort, Mackinac Island, Michigan (1993-1996), Greg returned to Kansas City in the fall of 1996. He has performed on recordings with Jimmy Hamilton, David Basse, Angela Hagenbach, Bobby Watson, Pamela Baskin-Watson, and Marilyn Maye. Greg was the Rhythm Section and Jazz Combo instructor for Kansas City Youth Jazz Inc. for ten years and was the director of the Eddie Baker School of Music's Program from its creation in 2005 until 2016. He has now stepped into the position of Music Education Director, as well as an active member on the Board of Directors, for the Charlie Parker Memorial Foundation, where he is teaching percussion, piano, and music theory.
Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, & Keyboards: Jill Jackson
Jill Jackson earned her Bachelor of Music performance degree from Washburn University and her Master of Music Performance degree from Wichita State University. She has performed with the Kansas City Symphony; in concert with Anne Hampton Calloway and with Ben Vereen; with the popular "Boulevard Big Band"; and the River City Jazz Orchestra. She is featured on a duet “Pure Imagination” with Greg Richter, and on Noel Scott & Don Warner's CD "Mosaic". Jill has also held the position of clarinet and saxophone instructor at Ottawa University. She was the Saxophone instructor for Kansas City Youth Jazz Inc for five years and then taught another five years for The Eddie Baker School of Music. We are very proud to have her on the staff of the Charlie Parker Memorial Foundation and Arts Outreach.
Electric and Upright Bass: Joe Straws
Joe's credentials are great and varied. After attending UMKC's conservatory of Music, Joe performed with KC blues masters "Colt 45", and Jay McShann among others. In the early 1980's Greg Richter called Joe to the US Virgin Islands to play with Duke Ellington's veteran clarinetist, Jimmy Hamilton, a job he kept for over 12 years. During that time he also performed with such notable entertainers as Cab Calloway, Little Anthony and The Imperials, and Richie Cole. He also gained a reputation as one of the favorite Reggae bassists in the Caribbean, eventually touring Africa and finally moving to the Washington D.C. area playing with top name Reggae musicians including members of the iconic Reggae group: "The Wailers". Joe is the Charlie Parker Memorial Foundation’s Bass, Strings, and Associate Jazz Combo Instructor.
Guitar, Trombone, Piano, and Jazz Ensemble: Tom Pender
Tom Pender is a musician of the highest quality. His professional background includes, current Adjunct Faculty at The University of Kansas School of Music, former Adjunct Faculty at Longview Community College for twenty-two years, Private Instructor for over forty years, a Professional Musician for over forty years, and over four years as faculty with The Eddie Baker School of Music. Tom has performed with famous names, played classical, broadway, Rock and Roll, Blues, Jazz, Pop, Gospel, Reggae, and any other genre of music you can thinkof. He is a multi-instrumentalist and teaches anything he can play. Tom also is an associate instructor of the Charlie Parker Memorial Foundation Jazz Ensemble and enjoys sitting in on performances with them, which is a lot of fun for everyone!
Woodwinds and Piano: Steve Lambert
Steven Lambert was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa. In 2006, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri to attend the UMKC Conservatory of Music, and study with saxophone master, Bobby Watson. He earned his B.A. in Jazz and Studio Music in 2010, and began to teach and play professionally in the Kansas City Area. Since 2010 Steven has taught at The Eddie Baker School of Music, where he teaches Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, and Piano to students age 6-16. He also serves as the music/band director at Faith Academy Schools of Harvest Church.
Steven maintains a very active presence on the Kansas City Music Scene. He plays with a number of groups including, The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, The KC Sound , Bobby Watson and The 18th and Vine Big Band, The Steve Lambert Quartet and Trio, Stan Kessler’s Force 5, and several others. Steven is very active as a composer and arranger. He writes for his original groups, The Foundation Big Band, and most recently international hip-hop icons, Tech N9NE and Krizz Kaliko at STRANGE MUSIC. He leads the Foundation Big Band at the Green Lady Lounge in KCMO and performs regularly at The Blue Room, The Majestic, and The Mutual Musicians Foundation at 1823 Highland, KCMO.
Steven has released three records- “Subject to Change” (2010) - “In the Moment” (2012) by The KC Sound Collective, and LIVE! By the Steven Lambert Quartet and Trio (2015)