Current Biography

Located in the heart of the U.S. but far from the music industry mainstays, Brian Baggett has played and performed guitar for the majority of his 27 years. Now, with his new solo album, entitled The Web, on which he composed all of the music and performed all of the instruments, he has his sights set on the international spotlight.

Born in 1976 and raised in Kansas, Brian began playing guitar in grade school and has never stopped performing. Brian’s formative years were spent studying jazz improvisation and composition under the tutelage of guitarists Danny Embry and Rod Fleeman, both Kansas City jazz legends. Additionally, he has performed with some of the world’s top jazz musicians including Frank Mantooth and Bob Mintzer.

While still in high school, Brian formed the rock band Einstein Electric and began performing in Kansas coffee shops, the only venues that would allow the underage musicians. For the next six years, Brian performed in bars and at festivals throughout the Midwest, including the Omega Music Festival, the American Rights Festival, and Schwagstock.

Brian composed most of the band’s original songs with genres ranging from acoustic bluegrass to electric rock to jazz fusion. As The University Daily Kansan reported the band uses its broad knowledge of music theory to explore different styles and sounds. Songs by performers such as Prince, Frank Zappa, and Jimi Hendrix were also covered. His band was described by Pitch Weekly Magazine as uniquely suited to ascend to royalty status.

In 1999, Brian released Einstein’s demo album, The Cosmic Imperative, which was highlighted in Relix Magazine’s Too New to Be Known column, and described by the magazine as highly innovative and skillful. Of the album, Pitch Weekly stated particularly outstanding [is] Santana-influenced guitarist Brian Baggett.

At the same time as Brian’s band was gaining popularity and performing with the likes of Galactic, Ekoostik Hookah, and The Jerry Garcia Band, Brian formed the jazz group, The Embius Trio, which performed in small clubs close to home. The Embius Trio was a way for Brian to employ his jazz roots while the number of Einstein Electric fans continued to grow. Jazz Ambassador Magazine illustrates that Baggett approaches his playing with a deep sense of spirituality.

In 2001, Brian Baggett decided to devote time to his solo project, The Brian Baggett Band, and to performing and recording with mainstream jazz musicians including Bill McKemy, Pocket Space, and The Yards. On his current solo album, The Web, he plays all of the instruments, provides all of the vocals, and composed each of the 16 tracks. Lyrics to this conceptual album were provided by longtime lyricist KC135. The album’s purpose is to showcase Brian’s talent and attract as many genres of music listeners to one album. Pitch Weekly recently wrote Baggett's healthy doses of acoustic folk, classic rock, electronica and contemporary jazz funk truly give his creation life. The Web will be made available to the public in the Fall of 2003.

For more information, visit www.brianbaggettband.com or call 785.312.7803.