Foundation History

Eddie Baker was a gifted musician, who began leading the 17-piece New Breed Orchestra at the peak of the Jazz Era in Kansas City, when he was only 17 years of age. He continued to lead and perform with that group until his passing at the age of 70. During all those years of deep connection to the Kansas City Jazz Community, he realized the importance of finding ways to preserve the music and honor the great musicians who helped to create it. In 1971, Eddie founded the Charlie Parker Memorial Foundation and its’ offshoot project “The International Jazz Hall Of Fame”. His mission (now our mission) for the Charlie Parker Memorial Foundation was, as it is now, to promote, provide music education, and preserve our Kansas City Music Heritage.  The main focus of his efforts was to provide music education to young musicians who would otherwise have no opportunities to hear, learn about, or participate in the continued lineage of Kansas City Jazz.  Students who developed their musical skills at CPMF include: Mark Pender (trumpeter for the Conan O’Brien Show), Pat Metheny, Scott Robinson, The McFadden Brothers, and Bobby Watson.

Eddie’s connections in the global jazz community grew over the years until his close friendships included some of the greatest legends of the music. Soon he began a project to honor them and to bring their expertise in jazz education to the students at the CPMF, he called it “The International Jazz Hall Of Fame”.  IJHOF inductees who gave seminars at The CPMF included: Jay McShann, Claude “Fiddler” Williams, Max Roach, Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald, Clark Terry, Dave Brubeck, Cab Calloway, Lionel Hampton, and The Count Basie Orchestra. These great artists contributed their time and concert performances to aid Eddie and The CPMF in continuing to provide a fertile environment for young musicians to thrive in.

After Eddie’s passing, the future of the CPMF was in doubt. Estate and legal challenges kept the organization in limbo for years. Now, through the pro bono efforts of The Polsinelli Law Firm, Michael Baker (Eddie’s son), has helped to resurrect the CPMF and has assembled a dedicated team to continue Eddie’s mission.