Proper Why? CD Jazz Ginger Baker

The first album in eight years from the legendary drummer Ginger Baker, who is best known for his time with the game-changing supergroup Cream (with Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce) and for being a true music pioneer. On 'Why?' he leads his powerhouse Jazz Confusion quartet, which includes The J.B.'s saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis, bassist Alec Dankworth and Ghanaian percussionist Abass Dodoo.

On the heels of the 2012 documentary Beware of Mr. Baker, which brought him and his fascinating life to a wider public, Ginger Baker takes the influences that helped shape him and puts them out front on 'Why?'. They perform a potent mix of jazz and afrobeat across eight songs, which includes compositions by Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, a traditional Nigerian song, plus originals by Pee Wee Ellis and Mr. Baker. The 'Why?' show has been delighting sell-out audiences throughout the UK and Europe and has translated brilliantly to this beautifully produced album.

Influenced by a love of African drumming and the great jazz drummers Art Blakey, Max Roach and Elvin Jones, Ginger's unique style of drumming created the foundation for an entirely new sound in rock music. AllMusic has described him as "rock's first superstar drummer and the most influential percussionist of the 1960s" and stated that "virtually every drummer of every heavy metal band that has followed since that time has sought to emulate some aspect of Baker's playing."

Personnel: Ginger Baker (drums), Pee Wee Ellis (saxophone), Alec Dankworth (bass), Abass Dodoo (percussion)