B

Biography

 

    Brian Baggett

    professional musician, guitar teacher, music educator

 

 ·  Professional jazz guitarist averaging more than

    100 public performances annually                  

 ·  Skilled jazz educator producing award winning guitarists

 ·  Author of the guitar method book “Keys to Unlocking the Fretboard”

 ·  Video Presenter for Musician's Friend Private Reserve


            

            

            Brian Baggett's education includes both Washburn University and University of Kansas with concentration in jazz improvisation and guitar.  He has studied with some of the best in the field, including extensive private lessons with Danny Embrey, Rod Fleeman and Regi Wooten, among others.  His critically acclaimed guitar playing has been praised by Mike Varney in Guitar Player magazine and by many other jazz and guitar based publications. 

 

 

             Brian’s guitar instruction spans many areas.  He has been a private guitar instructor, faculty for the University of Kansas Jazz Workshop, guitar instructor at Ottawa University, and most recently Brian took on a new role in early childhood music, working with students at the Lawrence Montessori School.

 

           

            Brian’s book, “Keys to Unlocking the Fretboard,” came into fruition in 2011.  After many years of successful teaching with the method he created,  Brian decided to outline and explain the method to better support his students as well as players interested in learning on their own.  The book is currently in it's third edition and is available with a DVD as well. Please visit www.brianbaggett.net.

 

           

            Since 2000 and far into the future, Brian is a professional musician.  Even before 2000, Brian led a innovative and skillful band called Einstein Electric.  Live performances of this group are only now slowly becoming available online.  Although Brian is known mostly as a jazz player, he also leads the fusion group DOJO.  It's actually Brian's playing in this band that has gained him the most national exposure. 

 

            Some gigs these days require suit and tie, while many others are outdoor jazz festivals with larger audiences.  Brian has been a sought after jazz player in the Kansas City area for many years and there is really no wonder why. Brian's magical guitar playing has gained him a solid reputation that continues to grow.  He has been very blessed to share his music with some amazing people.  In 2012, Brian swapped solos on stage with Steve Vai at the Stiefel Theatre,  he played the opening gala for the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, and entertained a private dinner for Newt Gingrich at the Dole Institute. This was in addition to many exciting club dates.    

 

          

             Another project of Brian’s is a new field for him– history. In 2013, Brian Baggett played music that was composed by Henry Worrall, a 19th century guitar player and composer.  He recorded the songs Sebastopol and Carmencita and donated the work to be part of the permanent collection at the Kansas Museum of History. 

 

           

             Brian has been giving energetic and engaging presentations since 2004.  He has presented about music and guitars to many different audiences, including university jazz festivals, master workshops, preschool, middle and high school classes as well as in-store demonstrations.  If you’d like to hear about a presentation that Brian could do for your organization, feel free to shoot an email through the website.


Since 2014, Brian Baggett has been the video presenter for Musician's Friend Private Reserve part of the Guitar Center family of brands. He has made over 900 guitar demos to date and has visited most guitar factories in the USA. He also writes a column for Musician's Friend called Guitar Notes.

 

           

             Lastly, if you find yourself in the Kansas City area you will not have a hard time finding Brian out gigging.  He has steady gigs, and has for many years. He holds a residency at the Green Lady Lounge with Ken Lovern and Kevin Frazee every Wednesday and Saturday night in the group OJT and recently joined the band Guitar Elation alongside legendary KC guitarist Danny Embrey. Just check out the calendar on his website and we’ll see you at the show!  *brianbaggett.net*