Paul Baker : Executive Member, MAGA National Executive
Paul has been a professional musician for almost 45 years and a studio musician for a staggering 37 years! Christmas 1963, aged 18, Paul turned professional and by 19 he had toured the Far East for 12 months, gaining invaluable experience.
In 1970 Paul started his long-term goal of becoming an accomplished studio musician, playing all of the Guitar family of instruments as well as Electric Bass, Mandolin & Banjo. On top of all of this, Paul also sang as lead vocalist and as part of studio vocal groups on many television and radio commercials during the 1970s and 1980s. By 1972, he had joined the ABC Show Band as Bassist & Guitarist and later also as a Music Arranger and Orchestrator for the 40-piece orchestra under the baton of Eric Cook. And in 1975, Paul joined the world renowned jazz musician, Don Burrows, playing Bass as part of his newly formed quintet, which went on to record many critically acclaimed albums and perform on many overseas tours.
In 1975 Paul started up his own professional recording studio, producing many albums for local artists and by 1988 was voted, by the Music Producers Association of NSW, as Best Studio Instrumentalist.
During the 1970s and 1980s Paul also played on just about all of the TV themes for locally produced Australian shows. He was part of the orchestra for the Australian series of The Michael Parkinson Show as well as been part of the orchestra for many "Royal Command Performances" under the direction of the famed Maestro Dr. Tommy Tycho, for whom he still works for to this day, playing on many of Tommy's recording sessions and live performances, surrounded by the very best of Sydney's musicians.
In 1993 he was appointed musical director for The John Mangos Show, which aired daily on the Channel 7 Network (it ran for 3 years); Paul also composed the theme music for the show. The following year he was nominated by APRA for the most played Australian Jazz Composition on Australian radio.
Since 1987 Paul has been part of the music production team on the Australian television series Home & Away. A staggering 21 years!
Just some of the artists that Paul has worked with during his famous career include Peggy Lee, Eartha Kitt, Charles Aznavour, Al Martino, Peter Allen, Christopher Cross, Olivia Newton John, Julie Anthony, Barry Crocker, Peter Cousins and, more recently, a tour with Michael Ball (star of Phantom of the Opera and Aspects Of Love).
During his career Paul has played on in excess of 10,000 Radio & TV jingles and over 300 albums and singles, making him "the most recorded studio musician in Australia" as quoted by renowned recording engineer, Martin Benge.
Paul is still active as a much-sort-after studio musician. He still runs a recording studio, producing albums for local artists as well as doing many and varied live gigs with local artists performing in the Sydney club circuit.
To sum up, Paul is one of the most respected studio musicians in Sydney today and is always surrounded by the very best musicians, producing music on any par with overseas product.
| 14 December 1968 | Joined MAGA (NSW Division) |
| 2008 | Inducted Honorary Member (Long Service) |
| 2009-2010 | National Executive Member |