theBABAorchestra
press photos/kit
theBABAorchestra is a Los Angeles based 17-piece experimental big band performing original new instrumental works by composer, conductor, and bandleader [Lauren] Elizabeth Baba. “Baba is an artist to watch … she’s establishing adventurous new territory” (Downbeat). Her music is described as “ambitious and wildly imaginative new music for large jazz ensembles…a statement of marvelous depth and cinematic expanse” (JAZZIZ). Amidst intricately woven melodies and massive brass textures are subtly creeping rock grooves and a generally dark ambience; creative music drawing from free jazz, avant-garde, drone-rock, and Middle Eastern folk.
As one of the top up-and-coming female big band composers and bandleaders, Baba has gained critical acclaim and recognition from the creative music scene. Highlights include album reviews in Downbeat Magazine, JAZZIZ Magazine, LA Weekly, All About Jazz, Bird is the Worm, Art Rockin’, KUCI, Downbeat’s March 2018 Indie Life Feature as well as radio/podcast features with Trilogy, Somethin’ Else, Composers at Play, and On the Scene San Francisco/Oakland. Baba’s original big band compositions have been performed by numerous high schools and colleges across the county. Baba has been featured as guest conductor of the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra [California Jazz Conservatory]; and has also received commissions through Idaho State University (2020), Viewpoint High School (2019), West Ranch High School (2016) and most notably for Marigold, which was commissioned by the Los Angeles Jazz Society through the 2018 New Note Artist Award and premiered at the 2018 Angel City Jazz Festival at Ford Theater in Los Angeles, CA. theBABAorchestra highlight performances include appearances at the Hammer Museum’s JAZZPOP Series, Angel City Jazz Festival’s Jazz Night at Bootleg Theater, CalArts Wild Beast Concert Series, Cooks Chapel’s Live Jazz Nite Series, ArtShareLA, and the Blue Whale. Baba received the 2012 Young Jazz Composers Award for her work 144, which appears on theBABAorchestra’s debut album “Another Ride on the Elephant Slide.”
[Lauren] Elizabeth Baba is a violinist, violist, composer, arranger, and improviser living in Los Angeles, California specializing in performing and composing creative improvised music, she also appears in film scores, commercials, music videos, television, albums, and top touring acts as a freelance musician. Baba is a board member of Los Angeles Jazz Society and has been an adjudicator at Reno Jazz Festival and faculty jazz string instructor at ACE Oakwood School and Stanford Jazz Workshop.
