When it comes to trumpet acumen, BACA’s a real smart ALEC
By CP Christopher Peppas
There’s no evidence that there was trumpet alongside Alec Baca in the womb when he arrived here on terra firma. It is true to say, however, that he was born to not only play the trumpet, but to have a laser beam focus on the jazz genre.
Alec’s Dad played the trumpet and was a teacher and Jazz Director at UW-Eau Claire, heading a program that is widely known as one of the best in the Midwest.
Mom taught music in high school for many years. So, with a pedigree like that, it’s easy to see how the twenty-nine year old is well on his way to winning a musical ‘Best in Show.’
“As early as I can remember, we had a lot of heavy hitters (players that his Dad would bring) coming over to the house,” Alec said in a recent interview.
Early on, however, Alec’s instinct was to break off from the norm and branch off in a different direction, instrument-wise.
“For jazz ensemble in the fifth grade, I wanted to try the trombone and the saxophone,” Alec said. “But they didn’t have anyone to play trumpet. In the long run, it was the right choice.”
Baca also took piano lessons at that time in order to steep himself in “basic theory.” And his ascension to the top of his class is the product of a ton of innate talent, to be sure, plus the daily practicing of his craft.
He is the textbook definition of Malcolm Gladwell’s outlier -- putting in 10,000 hours --which separates someone who is very, very good to someone who achieves greatness. Alec is well on his way.
“Working on trumpet fundamentals really focuses me, Alec said. “I start every day for a couple of hours hitting the fundamentals really hard. I have a routine where I work on full sounds, the overtones.”
Baca went on to explain that it is becoming one with the instrument. “It’s like taking the sound in your head and transferring it to the instrument.”
While his attention is clearly aimed at jazz, “most days I listen to Big Band and Classical…I aspire to do all o
f it.”
The explanation for why jazz was what rose to the top (like the cream on old milk bottles) is rather simple.
“It’s the sheer creativity of it,” Alec said. “With the improvisation, it’s new every time. The creativity is spontaneous.
“I mean the song has a core structure and then you string licks together and create a communication.
“I taught ESL (English as a Second Language) and it’s very much like that. There’s a crispness in playing and getting the precise placement of the note.”
After college, Alec bounced around a little bit, living on the east coast and in Minneapolis before lighting in Milwaukee about six years ago.
Baca was taking lessons from Eric Jacobson, who was chronicled on these pages earlier this year. He has broken out of the local scene and is making a jazzy splash in Chicago and New York. His most recent drops have held sway on the jazz charts.
“Eric was very encouraging to me and had me concentrate on a mindset and artistic expression. He also pointed out the importance of player connections.”
Making connections with other players is why Alec gravitated toward going to different jazz jams around town. “I wanted to play more, so I did a Google search and found some jams.”
Another way to play more is to get gigs. Alec formed “Jazz in Vivo” and can be seen in a variety of configurations of three to five pieces at venues all over town.
“I decided to brand it (in Vivo is “live” in Spanish) because it comes alive,” Alec said. “My sound is one that is tailored to be pleasing to the ear.”
Baca cites Charlie Parker and John Coltrane as influences. “I want to play all different styles, from bossa nova to bebop.”
If there is a mythical torch that lights the way for jazz aficionados, it has been passed to Alec Baca. And it is in good hands.
Remember that name so I can say: “I told you so!”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CP Christopher Peppas is a Journalist, Jazz Vocalist and Conga Player in the Greater Milwaukee Area and Correspondent at Large for the Jazz Unlimited Newsletter and Content Manager/Chief Contributor to CreativProse, Ltd. (sic), Social Media, Brand Management.
