Grammy Nominated artist Jenny Oaks Baker is one of America’s most accomplished violinists.
She has released eleven albums since 1998. They have sold over a quarter of a million copies and consistently charted on Billboard, including the #1 spot on the Top Classical Albums chart. Her album, Wish Upon a Star, earned a nomination for the 54th GRAMMY Awards for Best Pop Instrumental Album.
Jenny began playing the violin at age four, and made her solo orchestral debut in 1983 when she was only eight years old. She received her Master of Music degree from the renowned Juilliard School in New York City and her bachelor’s degree in violin performance from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
She has performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Strathmore Hall, the Library of Congress and as a guest soloist with the Jerusalem Symphony, the San Diego Symphony, the Utah Symphony, the Orchestra at Temple Square, and the internationally acclaimed Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Jenny has also soloed with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center under the direction of Marvin Hamlisch.
Jenny, her husband Matthew, and their four children reside outside of Washington D.C.
Utah native Jenny Oaks Baker received her first GRAMMY nomination last night.
Her newest album, Wish upon a Star: A Tribute To The Music of Walt Disney is among five finalists in the Best Pop Instrumental Album category.
The songs on the album were produced and arranged by Emmy-Award-winning composer Kurt Bestor. The Grammy nomination is a first for Baker, who is on the Shadow Mountain Records label (the record label of Deseret Book).
Deseret Book CEO Sheri Dew gives credit to many individuals for this nomination.
“Jenny Oaks Baker is an extraordinary talent. She makes the violin sing,” Dew said. “Her talent, combined with the superb touch of producer Kurt Bestor and our Music Team’s skillful handling of this product have proven a winning combination. We are honored to have a CD showcasing such sheer talent on the Shadow Mountain label.”
Baker issued a statement this morning about her nomination:
“I am absolutely thrilled about this Grammy nomination! I’m grateful to Shadow
Mountain Records for everything they’ve done to secure this nomination and to
help my music be heard around the world. I’m also grateful to Kurt for his amazing
arrangements and superb artistry. I feel so blessed.”
The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards will take place February 12, 2012 and will air on CBS.
This is the second Grammy Nomination for Shadow Mountain Records. Gladys Knight won a GRAMMY under the label in 2005 in the category of Best Gospel Choir Or Chorus Album.
Bestselling artist Jenny Oaks Baker will delight fans young and old with her newest album, Wish upon a Star: A Tribute To The Music of Walt Disney. The album features songs produced and arranged by Emmy-award-winning composer Kurt Bestor.
This project comes one year after her Billboard #1 hit, Then Sings My Soul. “We are expecting a great response to this album,” says Bob Ahlander, head of Shadow Mountain Records, the label that produces Baker’s albums. “These are the songs we all know and love, but in this case they are performed by a virtuoso who takes them to a whole new level. Her fans will love it, and I predict she will win over a whole new bunch of people with this amazing project.”
Baker delivers a mix of popular favorites and lesser-known melodies on this highly anticipated track list:
Colors of the Wind
When You Wish Upon a Star
Beauty and the Beast
A Whole New World
God Help the Outcasts
A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes
Mary Poppins Fantasia
Part of Your World
Once Upon a Dream
Can You Feel the Love Tonight?
Baby Mine
Baker will perform in conjunction with Education Week August 16-19 at 8pm. All performances will be in the Madsen Recital Hall. At the concert, she will perform songs from Wish Upon a Star.
Jenny Oaks Baker: Ms. Baker is one of America’s most accomplished classical violinists. She began playing the violin at age four, and received her Master of Music degree from the renowned Juilliard School in New York City and her bachelor’s degree in violin performance from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. She has performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Strathmore Hall, the Library of Congress and as a guest soloist with the Jerusalem Symphony, the San Diego Symphony, the Utah Symphony, the Orchestra at Temple Square, and the internationally acclaimed Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Ms. Baker performed as a first violinist with the National Symphony Orchestra for seven years before resigning in 2007 to devote more time to her young family. She has released ten albums since 1998. They have sold more than 150,000 copies and charted on the National Billboard Charts multiple times, with her last album, “Then Sings my Soul” hitting No. 1 on Billboard. Ms. Baker, her husband Matthew, and their four children reside outside of Washington D.C.
Acclaimed classical violinist Jenny Oaks Baker joins Emmy-award-winning composer Kurt Bestor to create a memorable and entertaining album adapted from classic Disney favorites. This album will prove to be a favorite among generations who grew up with these Disney classics and children who are now discovering them for the first time. No family’s music collection is complete without Jenny Oaks Baker’s new album.
Featuring brilliant renditions of beloved hymns and other wonderful classics, produced and arranged by Emmy-award-winning composer Sam Cardon, this album is sure to invite the Spirit into your home.
Silver Screen Serenade, Jenny once again thrills listeners, this time with stunning arrangements of the film industry’s most spectacular theme songs. Showcasing selections from award- winning scores like The Wizard of Oz and Somewhere in Time, Silver Screen Serenade is a perfect album for fans of classical music and film, as well as those seeking flawless performances. Click here to purchase
Track List:
Suite From Far And Away (from Far And Away)
Theme From Schindler s List (from Schindler s List)
An American In Paris (from An American In Paris)
Gabriel’s Oboe (from The Mission)
A Time For Us (from Romeo and Juliet)
Transylvanian Lullaby (from Young Frankenstein)
Over the Rainbow (from The Wizard Of Oz)
O Mio Babbino Caro (from A Room With A View)
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini (from Somewhere In Time)
