AWARD-WINNING
FILM COMPOSER RICHARD J. BAKER
Cinematic Music Composer
Film, TV & Global Brands
Richard J. Baker is a seasoned composer, music producer, and arranger with decades of experience scoring for film, television, and advertising.
-
Former Santana keyboardist bringing world-class musicianship to screen scores
-
Versatile composer with 30+ film & TV credits across genres
-
Proven collaborator with studios, directors, and producers worldwide
Classically trained at McGill University and known for blending orchestral, rock, and electronic styles, Richard has worked with Santana, Gino Vannelli, Gary Wright, and Leo Sayer.
His film and TV credits span USA Network, Syfy, Miramax Films, Lion’s Gate, NBC, Kraft Foods, Hyatt Hotels, The Discovery Channel, and Fox Reality TV.
FILM MUSIC PORTFOLIO
AWARD-WINNING INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPOSER RICHARD J. BAKER FOR FILM AND TELEVISION
Trusted by Directors, Producers, and Global Brands
Richard John Baker is more than a composer — he’s a collaborator who understands how music shapes emotion and drives narrative. With over 30 film and television credits, platinum-selling albums, and campaigns for international brands, his work blends storytelling, musicianship, and cinematic precision.
From intimate dramas to high-energy thrillers and global advertising, Baker delivers music that elevates stories and connects with audiences worldwide.
ABOUT FILM COMPOSER
Richard John Baker:
From Prodigy to Composer
From an early start as a prodigy in music to shaping platinum-selling rock albums, Richard John Baker has built a career defined by versatility and vision.
.png)
A journey spanning concert halls, platinum rock albums, and cinematic soundscapes.
 copy.png)
Discover the versatile Canadian composer who brings unique musical perspectives to film, television, and advertising worldwide.
 copy 2.png)
Collaborating with acclaimed directors and global brands, Baker crafts music that amplifies storytelling and leaves a lasting emotional impact.
🎼 Richard John Baker
— Film & Television Composer
From platinum stages with Santana to 30+ screen credits, Richard John Baker is a Canadian-born composer who blends classical orchestration, rock energy, and cinematic storytelling.
🎬 Film & Television Scoring thrillers, dramas, and international productions — from Moscow Heat and William Shatner’s Groom Lake to Syfy/USA Network’s Threshold — Baker delivers music that elevates stories and resonates with audiences worldwide.
🎹 Music Legacy A former member of Santana, and a collaborator with artists like Yes, Beth Hart, Gino Vannelli, and Gary Wright, Baker brings world-tested musicianship into every score, bridging concert halls, platinum records, and cinematic soundscapes.
📢 Commercial & Brand Work Global brands including Kraft Foods, Hyatt, Ferrero Rocher, and Oracle trust Baker to create sonic identities that connect instantly with audiences.
THE MUSICAL JOURNEY
Montreal Beginnings: Richard's extraordinary path began as a child prodigy in Montreal, performing with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra by age seven.
His formal education at McGill University in Composition and Conducting laid the foundation for a career that would span multiple musical worlds.
This classical training would later inform his distinctive approach to screen composition, blending orchestral traditions with contemporary sounds.
“Adapting to Vision, Elevating Every Story.”
Every project is unique — every producer has a workflow, and every director has a vision. My role is to adapt, collaborating in the way that works best for you while delivering music that elevates story and fits seamlessly into production.
MUSICIAN PORTFOLIO
Richard’s journey as a musician is rooted in performance and exploration. From the intimacy of the piano bench as a child to touring the world with rock bands, his playing reflects both discipline and raw energy. Years on the road shaped his instinct for rhythm, improvisation, and audience connection, while studio sessions honed his ear for detail and nuance.
His portfolio includes:
Live Performance: Touring with international rock and fusion acts, bringing dynamic stage presence to audiences worldwide.
Studio Recording: Collaborations with diverse artists across genres, blending classical precision with contemporary flair.
Instrumental Mastery: Piano, guitar, and multi-instrumental fluency, allowing fluid transitions between styles and settings.
Creative Experimentation: Cross-genre projects that merge acoustic tradition with electronic and modern textures.
This foundation as a performing musician gives his discography a unique edge: every composition carries the spirit of lived performance.
MUSIC COMPOSER
As a composer, Richard is distinguished by his ability to bridge worlds of sound. Trained in classical orchestration, seasoned by years of rock performance, and immersed in modern production tools, his scores are both technically sophisticated and emotionally resonant. Whether writing for film, stage, or studio, he crafts music that elevates narrative and stirs the imagination.
His portfolio highlights:
Film & Television Scoring: Orchestral soundtracks enriched with rock and electronic elements, amplifying dramatic storytelling.
Theatrical & Special Projects: Original compositions for stage, multimedia, and cross-disciplinary collaborations.
Hybrid Sound Design: Blending live instruments with digital synthesis to create immersive atmospheres.
Emotional Storytelling: Music that not only supports visuals but deepens the emotional core of every project.
This body of work sets the stage for a discography that reveals both versatility and a signature voice as a composer.
FOLLOW RICHARD
ON SOCIAL
Stay connected with Richard and his latest projects — from new compositions and film scores to behind-the-scenes glimpses of life in the studio. Join the community and be part of the journey where music meets storytelling.
MEDIA INTERVIEWS
AND CREDITS
🎼 Richard John Baker – Composer, Musician & Producer
From Montreal concert halls as a child prodigy to the world stage with Santana, Richard John Baker has always been where music meets story.
Today, he is known internationally as a film and television composer whose work fuses classical depth, rock energy, and cinematic atmosphere.
His scores don’t just sit under the picture — they carry the story forward and pull audiences deeper in.
🎬 Feature Film Composer
In thrillers and dramas, Richard’s music becomes the invisible character — one that whispers tension, breathes emotion, and explodes with energy when the story demands it.
Moscow Heat – His score underlined the clash of cultures and cold intrigue alongside Michael York and Joanna Pacula.
Beneath Loch Ness – Dark orchestration gave depth to the mystery beneath the water, distributed by Dimension/Miramax.
Groom Lake – Collaborating with William Shatner, Richard’s music bridged sci-fi wonder with human emotion.
Cross the Line – Emotional layers guided the story starring Ellen Burstyn and Taye Diggs.
Manhattan Midnight – A noir edge carried Richard Grieco and Maggie Q through a story of obsession and danger.
And beyond – From The Wailer to Mojave Diamonds and Project Legion, his scores span genres but always strike at the heart of the narrative.
👉 For filmmakers: Baker delivers music that feels cinematic regardless of budget — the sound of a major studio composer with the soul of an artist.
📺 Television Credits
On television, Richard adapts quickly — from sci-fi thrillers to reality storytelling, his scores know how to keep audiences watching.
Threshold – A Syfy/USA Network original where music had to balance suspense and accessibility.
Bloodlands – A pilot that demanded raw, contemporary tones to match its grit.
Uprising – Trailer music that gave NBC’s mini-series urgency before the first frame aired.
It’s a Miracle – A PAX series lifted by Richard’s heartfelt and hopeful music.
America’s Most Wanted – Driving themes that made tension unforgettable.
Mad Movies & Discovery Channel – Proof of versatility, composing comedy cues one moment and documentary textures the next.
👉 For producers: Baker is the composer who can switch gears without losing voice, delivering music that meets deadlines and expectations.
🎞️ Short Films & Independent Projects
Richard brings the same care to short films as to features — crafting soundscapes that help small stories feel larger than life.
St. Christopher’s Code carried the mystery of an indie thriller.
Marina starred Linda Blair, with music balancing vulnerability and tension.
The Acorn Penny and Cottontails prove Richard’s music can be tender, whimsical, even animated — without losing sophistication.
👉 For independents: His scores give festival-level polish that elevates productions on any scale.
📢 Commercials & Branded Work
Whether for Ferrero Rocher or Kraft Foods, Richard knows the art of saying more with less — making 15 or 30 seconds of music unforgettable.
Zeppelin for Ferrero Rocher soared with elegance. It’s the Fashion for MG Clothing brought edge and rhythm.
Kraft Foods commercials gave familiar brands fresh emotional lift.
Hyatt, Fuji, Oracle — projects that prove his skill at translating brand identity into sound.
👉 For brands: Baker composes memorable sonic signatures that stay with the audience long after the campaign ends.
🎹 Collaborations with World-Renowned Artists
Before Hollywood, Baker was already shaping sound with legends.
As a member of Santana, he co-produced, wrote, and toured the world during a platinum era (Zebop! and Shangó).
He orchestrated for Gino Vannelli, brought keyboards to Yes’s Union, and added Hammond B3 fire to Beth Hart’s Leave the Light On.
From Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) to Gary Wright, Saga, and Na Leo, his fingerprints are across decades of influential music.
👉 For directors & producers: A composer with this background doesn’t just deliver notes — he delivers authentic musicianship and world-tested creativity that give any project instant credibility.
Heading
Information Source: richardjbaker.com
One Page Designed By: JohnieTidwell.com | Return Of The Nerd