David Mink Remembers Buddy Baker
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Buddy Baker 1918-2002
By David Mink
Last Friday, another light went out in the entertainment industry. His lively, intuitive talent inspired generations of film musicians. Though his face was not known, his work is a part of the American cultural landscape and enjoyed daily by millions of people throughout the world.
Disney Legend Norman "Buddy" Baker has passed on. For 28 years, Buddy had been one of the cleverest musical voices for the Walt Disney Company, composing outstanding music for TV, movies and theme parks.
Born in Springfield, Illinois, Buddy moved to Los Angeles in 1938. He worked as an arranger throughout the Swing Era; he remained so busy he stopped playing the trumpet. He also worked in the early days of radio for such entertainers as Jack Benny and Eddie Cantor. During WWII he was Bob Hope's principal arranger.
In 1948, Dr. Baker (He held a doctorate of music from Southwest Baptist University) began teaching arranging and orchestration at Los Angeles City College. One of his early students was Jerry Goldsmith.
Dr. Baker came to the Disney organization indirectly. A former student, George Bruns, was overloaded with work at the studio and asked Buddy to help him out scoring a TV show Walt Disney had in the works. That show was Davey Crockett. Buddy also scored The Mickey Mouse Club for it's four year run, providing musical scores "on the fly" for a live TV show five days a week.
His first feature film was 1960's "Toby Tyler". Buddy went on to score over 50 feature films including "Winnie The Pooh", "The Monkey's Uncle" and "The Gnome Mobile", and 150 television programs including the perennial favorite "Donald in MathmagicLand".
Buddy Baker's particular genius was for creating compelling atmospheric music. In this arena his greatest triumph was the music for Disney theme parks. As the musical director for WED (later WDI) Enterprises, he did more than arrange music for the attractions: He created enduring art. The mournful organ of "Grim Grinning Ghosts" breaking into a swinging 60's jazz beat, the children's chorus of "It's a Small World", American Adventure, Innoventions and Carousal of Progress are just some of his triumphs. His music brought the central idea of each attraction to the forefront, setting the stage for imagineering magic.
Though he retired in 1983, the composer continued to add to the music of theme parks in Tokyo and Paris.
Since 1984, Buddy taught animation scoring at the University of Southern California. By 1987 he was the chairman of the advanced studies program for Film and television, and his courses were the most sought after by new generations wishing to tap into the talent of a modern master.
Buddy Baker had gathered many awards during his fruitful life. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Napoleon and Samantha. He had received Grammys for his work, as well as the Diamond Circle from Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters for his work during the Golden Age of radio, and the prestigious ASCAP Life Time Achievement Award.
So many gifts he has left with us. His music touched and inspired so many. His art has left a lasting impression on all those who heard it. A long life, and well lived; his was a talent we shall not see again.
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Related Links
- Press Release announcing Buddy Baker's death
- Buddy Baker's comments at the 1999 Haunted Mansion Event at Disneyland
- Brief biography of Buddy Baker
- 1999 ASCAP Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation
-- Posted 7/31/02