James Baker

Pop/Rock/Jazz Keys

An Australian musician and keyboardist, James' career spans live gigs, recording sessions, theatre, and teaching: with his rich and varied history in performance and passion for teaching he is an expert in the field of contemporary piano and keyboard education

James has been an active performing musician since 2005 - yup, that's nearly 20 years in the industry!

Keys Player & Pianist - Musical Director - Musician

James Baker is an Australian keyboardist, jazz pianist and educator, and the founder of Wicked Keys. Since beginning his professional career at 15, he has built more than two decades of experience across music theatre, live gigs, recording sessions and accompanying.

Known for his versatility and reliability, James has become a true “gun for hire”, able to slot into productions, bands and studio sessions at short notice. He also works extensively as an HSC accompanist, creating custom arrangements and leading bands to support students in their final performance exams.

His ethos is simple: respect the song, and play good music. As a teacher and arranger, he brings that same approach to Wicked Keys, helping pianists develop contemporary skills, interpret songs with confidence and bring their own voice to the music.

Skills:

Reading [Notation & Chord Charts]

Improvisation [Pop/Rock & Jazz]

Synth/Keys Programming [Stage Pianos, Workstations & Mainstage]

Experienced Accompanist [Contemporary Music]

Band Musician [Pop/Rock & Jazz]

Solo Musician [Piano & Vocals, Cocktail Piano]

Selected Live Shows

An Evening With Elton

MD, 1st and 2nd Keys, Patch Designer

The Divine Miss Bette

Piano

The Album Shows: Supertramp and The Doors

1st Keys, Patch Designer

The Album Shows: Joni Mitchell and Neil Diamond

1st Keys

A Night in Nashville

1st Keys

A Tribute to Elvis: Rapid City ‘77

2nd Keys

Classic Band Show: Pink Floyd

Keys, Patch Designer

enLIVEn Festival

Supporting Jon Stevens and Eskimo Joe with the Robbie Mortimer Band

Life in the Spotlight

MD, Rehearsal Pianist, Arranger

The Yasgur Farm Experiment Band

Celebrating the Music of Woodstock

MD, Keys

The B.S. with Jamie & Leigh: Sunday Live & Late!

As part of the Wagga Wagga Comedy Fest 2025

Pianist, Co-contributor

Selected Theatre

RENT [Don Hillam Entertainment]

2nd Keys and Rehearsal Pianist

Beauty and the Beast [Don Hillam Entertainment]

Assistant MD, 1st Keys, and Rehearsal Pianist

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee [Don Hillam Entertainment]

MD, Conductor, 1st Keys, and Rehearsal Pianist

Seussical The Musical

MD, Conductor, 1st Keys, and Rehearsal Pianist

Hairspray [Kildare Catholic College]

MD, Conductor, 1st Keys, and Patch Designer

We Will Rock You [Mater Dei Catholic College]

MD, Conductor, 1st Keys, and Patch Designer

Matilda [Mater Dei Catholic College]

MD, 1st Keys, and Patch Designer

Back to the 80’s [Kildare Catholic College]

MD, 1st and 2nd Keys, and Patch Designer

A Hip Hikers Guide To The Galaxy [Backwards Anorak]

MD, Composer, Pianist

*Recipient of Green Room Award for Musical Direction

The Higher The Hair The Closer To God [Backwards Anorak]

MD, Composer, Pianist

Winter is Coming [Backwards Anorak]

MD, Composer, Pianist

Let Dinky Die [My Ugly Brother]

MD, Composer, Pianist

High School Musical [Kildare Catholic College]

MD, Conductor, Pianist, SFX Designer and Drum Programmer

Selected Albums & EP's

This World Of Mine: Jess Crossman

Co-writer

Anonymous George: Anonymous George

Co-writer

Feel Alright: Joe Conroy

Life Is Good Today: James Keith

Bermingham Ave: Daniel Tooze

Where Did The Time Go: Daniel Tooze

Thinking Over, Over Thinking: Joel William Harrison

Bordertown: Bordertown

A Union Of Souls: Cherie Medway

Co-writer

The Fall Of March: Robbie Mortimer

Selected Bands

Function / Corporate Bands

Good Time Charlie

Baker Boys Band

The Night Shift

One Shot Too Many

Groove Factorie

Painted Desert

Miss Nancy

Original Bands

Robbie Mortimer Band

James Keith Band

Joe Conroy and the Phantom 309

Big Bands

Blue Illusion [Piano & Keys]

NMIT Big Band [Piano & Keys]

Mater Dei Concert Band [Temporary Conductor]

HSC Accompanist, Arranger, & Band Leader

Mater Dei Catholic College, Wagga Wagga — 2017–2020

Kildare Catholic College, Wagga Wagga — 2017–2025

Radio

James performs as a regular contributor on Triple M Riverina's *Breakfast with Jamie and Leigh* “Friday Live” segment — breaking the news of the week down over classic songs.

Interested in working with James?

Get in touch directly at james@jamesbakermusic.com