Robert Baca is Professor of Trumpet and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Other duties include teaching Jazz Improvisation, Jazz History, directing Jazz Ensembles I & II, and

coordinating one of the nation’s largest jazz festivals. Mr. Baca’s background includes numerous performances in both classical and commercial areas. Mr. Baca has performed with the Milwaukee Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra and is a current member of the Phillip Brunelle “Plymouth Music Series Orchestra” as well as a past member of the popular radio ensemble for Garrison Keilor’s “A Prairie Home Companion.” He has toured with Frank Sinatra, Buddy Rich, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme and numerous others. As a teacher, Mr. Baca works with all levels of students and has served as conductor for many all state honors jazz ensembles. He has performed as a soloist in China, London, Costa Rica and Europe.

Mr. Baca is a past executive board member for the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) as the United States Representative as well as an advisory board member for the “Edwin Franko Goldman Band.” He also served as past Vice President of Wisconsin Music Educators Association (Northwest Region) and past president of the International Association of Jazz Educators, Wisconsin Chapter.

Mr. Baca directs the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Jazz Ensemble I, recognized as one of the premiere jazz ensembles in the United States. In the past decade, the ensemble has toured throughout the United States, Europe and the Pacific Rim. In 1991 they performed in China, being recognized as the first jazz ensemble to tour this country since opening its borders to the western world. The ensemble has recorded ten CDs to date. Six CD’s were awarded the prestigious Down Beat Award in the “Best Big Band” category. Two were nominated for a Grammy. The ensemble’s schedule in the last three years has included performances at the Midwest Band Directors Conference in Chicago, Illinois, the New York Brass Conference in New York City, the Minnesota, Illinois and Ohio Music Educators Conferences, two Northwestern Regional MENC Conferences, and the MENC National Conference. Mr. Baca is a Conn-Selmer clinician and is excited about the opportunity to work with any age student.