Steve Baker

Steve Baker was born and raised in London England and now lives near Hamburg, Germany, where he first came in the late 1970s with the well-known jugband "Have Mercy." His unique sound draws on the blues harmonica tradition and combines it with elements of country, folk, funk, soul and jazz to create an exciting and individual sound. Steve appears most frequently with Abi Wallenstein & Blues Culture… also as a duo with singer/guitarist Dick Bird. Before Chris Jones’ passing, Steve performed and recorded regularly this guitarist and songwriter. Chris and Steve released four acclaimed CDs together and toured Australia, Poland, Russia, the US, as well as Western Europe.

Steve has made hundreds of recordings as a studio musician and can be heard on a wide variety of CD, film and TV productions. For over 20 years Steve has worked as a consultant for Hohner, closely involved in the development of several models including the Marine Band Deluxe. 

Steve is the top-most regarded author of harmonica literature in Europe and has written a number of instructional methods: The Harp Handbook, Interactive Blues Harp Workshop and three volumes of Blues Harmonica Playalongs. Steve teaches private lessons on a regular basis and instructs at all of the well-known events in Europe. In 2003 Steve started the annual Harmonica Masters Workshops in Trossingen Germany… the leading place for intermediate and advanced harmonica players to go and study in Europe.

This interview was conducted October 31st, 2007 at the historic Hohner Music Conservatory in Trossingen German. http://www.stevebaker.de