The Indiana University-owned portion of North Jordan Avenue has been renamed as David Baker Avenue. The name applies to the portion of the road from 17 th Street to Fee Lane.
The change honors Baker, a former professor of music and founder of jazz studies in the Jacobs School of Music. The university’s announcement comes shortly after the City of Bloomington renamed its portion of the road from Davis Street to 17 th Street.
READ MORE: Eagleson Avenue officially replaces Jordan Avenue as city honors prominent Black family
According to IU, Baker earned a degree in music education in 1953, followed by a Master of Music Education degree the next year. He joined the Jacobs School of Music faculty in 1966, eventually founding the jazz studies program in 1968. He served as program chair until 2013.
Baker was originally a trombonist but suffered jaw injuries in a car accident. Then, he switched to playing the cello. Among Baker’s list of accomplishments, he was a 1973 Pulitzer Prize nominee and a 1979 Grammy Award nominee.
Baker died at age 84 in Bloomington on March 26, 2016.
Click here to learn more.
