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Murray Journal

‘America’s Violinist’ Jenny Oaks Baker to perform in Murray

Aug 09, 2021 12:03PM ● By Shaun Delliskave

Jenny Oaks Baker and the Family Four will perform at the Murray Amphitheater on Aug. 11. (Photo courtesy Jenny Oaks Baker)

By Shaun Delliskave | [email protected]

“America’s Violinist,” Grammy-nominated, Billboard-charting performer Jenny Oaks Baker, along with her band, The Family Four, will visit the Murray Amphitheater on Aug. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Before the concert, Baker will meet with select local musicians for a unique opportunity to mentor them.

“This concert is the final concert for my 2021 Jenny Oaks Baker Violin and Cello Performance Workshop, which features violinists and cellists of all ages performing sacred, inspirational, Disney, and film favorites,” Baker said. “I have coached these musicians on musicality, performance, and string techniques and will lead them in the performance. I will also perform songs with my own musical children, Family Four.”

The Family Four includes her children Hannah, Laura, Matthew and Sarah. Baker hopes at some point to make that a Family Five.

“I wish that my husband and I had been able to have more children. I am still hoping to be blessed with a miracle baby in my older years,” Baker said. 

After performing with the National Symphony Orchestra at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, she developed solo projects. Performing on stage with her children filled a void that she missed by not being with an orchestra; however, being a mother and concertmaster has its challenges.

“It is tricky being a stage mother while being on stage. My children are older now and can now prepare themselves for the stage on their own, but when they were younger, it was so much work to get them musically ready to perform while also making sure they were all dressed up with their hair done and their shoes on, and that we had remembered their cello rock stop, their stools, their music, their guitar capo, their guitar footstool, etc. And when they were younger, they also sometimes didn’t always know how to behave on stage, so I would be trying to manage this while performing. It was pretty stressful. But now my children are pros, and performances usually go really smoothly. It is a joy to perform with them,” Baker said

What does a Grammy-nominated violinist enjoy listening to or find inspiring? Her answer is intriguing.

“I listen to Audible books. I love history, so I listen to a lot of audiobooks on history and also historical fiction,” Baker said. “I am more inspired by my faith and my relationship with God than by any specific music or artists. I am so grateful for the blessings God has given our family and me, and for the beautiful life He has given us, and I strive to be worthy of it.”

Jenny Oaks Baker is the daughter of President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The talented violinist is familiar with many church audiences.

“My favorite performance of my life was performing for President Russell M. Nelson’s 95th birthday celebration concert. To be able to perform with my children for the prophet, in the Conference Center, with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra on Temple Square was incredible. My other favorite performances were when we were able to perform at the Garden Tomb (a site in Jerusalem considered to be the site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus) and the Garden of Gethsemane in Israel,” Baker said.

Her album “Jenny Oaks Baker & Family Four” hit No. 4 on the Billboard Classical Crossover and Classical Charts, and her Christmas album, “Joy to the World,” debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Charts. Her listeners can expect more offerings in the future.

“I am working on a sacred solo album as well as another album with my family. Both will be out next year,” Baker said. 

Tickets to the Bakers’ concert in Murray can be purchased in advance at the Murray Parks & Rec Office or at the gate approximately 30 minutes before showtime. Tickets may also be purchased online at RegTix (murraycity.smashpass.com/).