Julius Baker, born in Cleveland, studied with William Kincaid at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. He began his brilliant professional career as a member of the Cleveland Orchestra. Subsequently, he became solo flutist of the Pittsburgh Symphony, solo flutist of the CBS Symphony in New York, solo flutist of the Bach Aria Group, and solo flutist of the Chicago Symphony. He then returned to New York to become solo flutist of the New York Philharmonic, from which he retired in 1983. Since then, he has devoted himself to concertizing as a soloist, playing chamber music, and teaching. He is on the faculties of the Juilliard School, Curtis Institute, and Carnegie Mellon University. He has recorded for such labels as RCA Victor, Columbia, Vanguard, Westminster, and Vox Cum Laude.