Johnny Baker (2)

John Baker was a professional pianist, trombonist and broadcaster. Born on October 9, 1916 in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, he became a musician, playing with Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys in the 1930s and 1940s. Baker served with the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War and played in US Army bands,. While stationed in Japan, he worked for military radio station the Far East Network in Tokyo where he voiced the series Stories Of Japan. He also fronted the jazz group The Johnny Baker Combo, playing in the Tokyo nightclub scene with American and Japanese musicians. After retiring from the army, he spent 19 years as studio manager for Radio Liberty Network in New York City. He was one of the members of the Sal DeFeo musical ensemble that recorded the music for the 1962 album The Ukraine Swings. After moving to Warwick, New York in 1977, he hosted the radio show Baker’s Bandstand on WTBQ. He passed away on November 23, 2008, age 92.