Randy Brecker, the Grammy-winning trumpeter, described CHASE BAIRD as “… a part experimental rocker, part romantic, and part hard-bop lover. A Life Between is his latest album. It features a group of the most respected innovators in modern jazz. Grammy-winning drummer Antonio Sanchez, as well as 5-time Grammy-nominated pianist Brad Mehldau, are old friends. They also play guitar and bass with new-generation talent Dan Chmielinski and Dan Felder. Critics call the album “… “a truly inspiring, dare we say epic recording complete with progressive singularities, sonic cosmicalities.” Chase is a member of Antonio Sanchez’s band, Migration. He recorded both saxophone (Electronic Wind Instrument) and the group’s acclaimed album Lines In The Sand. Chase shares the virtuoso drummer’s passion for performing both hard-hitting material and tender material, often within one tune. Chase also performs with multi-generational progressive jazz quartet Venture, featuring jazz drum legend Mike Clark, multi-instrumentalist Mark Sherman and electric bassist Felix Pastorius. Their first studio collaboration, Life Cycle (Ropeadope Records, May 2018), saw the band dancing between hard-bop roots, funk, and fusion. Chase was born in Seattle and grew up in Salt Lake City. He started playing the saxophone when he was ten years old. In 2003, Michael Brecker, tenor saxophonist, discovered Chase and taught him. His first major media recognition came when Crescendo, a British jazz magazine, saw him playing with the veteran stars at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. He was a high school student and participated in the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival youth jazz program. Chase attended California State University Long Beach in 2007-2009. He then graduated from The Juilliard School, New York City, where his studies included Ron Blake, Joe Temperley and Frank Kimbrough. Chase has been a sideman for many jazz artists, including Thana Alexa and Christian McBride and Mike Stern. He also performed with popular artists Chaka Khan and Matthew Morrison. He performed at a Jazz at Lincoln Center concert in January 2017 celebrating Michael Brecker’s life and music. He played his original “Ripcord”, with former President Bill Clinton (and sax player), sitting in the front row. Chase resides in New York City when he is not on tour. from www.soundsaboundrecords.com
