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Joseph Baker, Musical Director

Only Professionals Will Do!

Key to I SMILE's ability to "make the party" is the solid entertainment backgrounds of its singers. Every I SMILE singer is a seasoned musical theater professional, and many have Broadway shows and national tours on their resumes. Their I SMILE performances are augmented by the expert musical direction of Joseph Baker, an esteemed Broadway musical director/conductor, vocal and dance arranger and orchestrator. His vocal arrangements include work on recordings with Deborah Gibson, Petula Clark, Carol King, and Helen Reddy and in concert with Chita Rivera and Eddie Fisher. On Broadway, Joseph was musical director and conductor of "Laughing Room Only" and "Blood Brothers," conducted "The Life" and other productions, and has played piano or keyboard in Broadway and Off-Broadway productions of "Laughing Room Only," "Bells are Ringing," "Smokey Joe’s Cafe," "Grand Hotel" and many others.

Beyond I SMILE's Broadway-tested voices and exceptional arrangements, every cheery Fezziwig or sultry alto in an evening gown brings a level of professionalism that puts I SMILE a step above other area caroling groups. Understanding the constantly changing nature of party planning, I SMILE's singers take cooperation and attention to detail seriously.

 

OUR PERFORMERS HAVE APPEARED
ON AND OFF BROADWAY AND ON TOUR IN:

42nd St A Christmas Carol A Class Act A Grand Night for Singing Annie BatBoy Beauty and the Beast Broadway 1925 By Jeeves Different Times Evita Fiddler on the Roof Footloose Jolson Kiss Me Kate Nine Phantom of the Opera

Radio City Christmas Spectacular Ragtime ShowBoat Smile State Fair Stop the World, I Want to Get Off! Sunset Boulevard The Secret Garden The Sound of Music The Will Rogers Follies Thoroughly Modern Millie Titanic Urinetown Wicked Wonderful Town (Encores!)... And more every season!

 

Featured performer: Roosevelt "Roo" A. Credit Voice: Bass Credits: Tony-winning production of Showboat; Marie Christine and many other pre-Broadway workshops; solo concerts featuring Bach, Handel, Faure, and Roo's own original works Favorite carol: "Our Frosty is one of the best!" What makes him special: Roo really personifies what this little company strives for. He is a generous, big-hearted guy who knows not only how to make an audience feel welcome and special, but also how to bring the house down! When I SMILE Director Renae Baker first met Roo, she discovered just what she thought she was looking for: "a superb sight-reader and vocal musician with a knock-out bass voice." What she hadn't expected was his showmanship. Roo's fun-loving antics and inclusive presentation put audiences in the palm of his hand within minutes! And they're in good hands - Roo's great attitude and work ethic have made him a mainstay with I SMILE, where he has also helped improve the company's repertoire and vocal arrangements. It works both ways, Roo says. "With I SMILE, the respect for the music-making is top priority. The singers all work very hard to create a good sounding group, which makes you proud of the work." Through three seasons with I SMILE, Roo has established a varied portfolio, including strolling through Tavern on the Green taking carolling requests, singing on a pops concert stage for the 60th anniversary of D-Day, teaming with a young boy who signed "Silent Night" to party-goers while the carollers sang, and even dancing with a nun at a college fundraiser! One of the most memorable, Roo says, is an orchestra concert in 2003 during which the singers stepped in at the last minute to replace the soloist, who had become ill. "The look on the orchestra conductor's face and his comments about the group were very special," Roo says. "This is why we do what we do."