MEET THE ARTIST

Baba Elefante

Baba Elefante is a versatile Southern California bassist whose playing embraces electric, upright and fretless bass. His longtime relationship with the Ron Kobayashi Trio has taken him to clubs, concert halls and jazz festivals, and his musical vocabulary stretches from the deep-pocket foundation of a groove to melody-led improvisation. On October 15, 2026, he joins Dave Murdy and Tom Dante on the Campus JAX JAX Hideaway stage.

The trio is an exposed musical conversation: every choice matters and every musician can change the direction of a phrase. Baba Elefante's value is the ability to connect rhythm to melody while leaving the other players space to make something unexpected. On the Dave Murdy Trio bandstand, that means a responsive musical foundation for Dave's guitar and Tom Dante's drums, rather than a bass part simply repeated behind them.

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WHY YOU SHOULD KNOW THEM

Five dimensions of Baba Elefante.

01 · RANGE

Electric, upright and fretless voices

Each brings a different touch and color to the bass line. Baba's playing and experience span all three.

02 · THE LONG GAME

Decades with the Ron Kobayashi Trio

A musical partnership lasting decades, performing at clubs, festivals and concert halls.

03 · THE CREDITS

A wide circle of musical collaborators

A 2022 interview documents work with Roy Hargrove, Pete Christlieb and Eric Marienthal.

04 · THE CLASSROOM

A working musician who has taught the next generation

A 2022 profile identifies teaching positions at Cal Poly Pomona and Orange County School of the Arts.

05 · THE BANDSTAND

Dave Murdy Trio at Campus JAX

On October 15, 2026, Baba's bass completes the Dave Murdy–Tom Dante trio at JAX Hideaway.

THE STORY

A musical life measured in conversations.

Baba Elefante has worked as a bassist in the Southern California jazz world for decades. His musical identity is particularly closely tied to the Ron Kobayashi Trio, whose long partnership has taken its musicians from local jazz stages to regional and national concert settings. Pacific Symphony's ensemble biography documents a deep history of live performances and recordings. A 2022 interview with For Bass Players Only describes Elefante's approach across electric and upright bass, as well as his work with musicians including Roy Hargrove, Pete Christlieb and Eric Marienthal. The same profile records a teaching role, evidence that his musicianship has been passed on in the classroom as well as practiced under stage lights. At Campus JAX, his appearance in the Dave Murdy Trio shows the practical value of that range: a bassist who can help shape an intimate jazz conversation in real time.

CAREER & COLLABORATIONS

The company a bassist keeps.

A long musical career is often best understood through the ensembles and musical relationships that last. For Baba, the Ron Kobayashi Trio provides one through-line; sessions, appearances and changing stage combinations reveal his ability to adapt to different musical voices.

LONG-RUNNING ENSEMBLE

Ron Kobayashi Trio

A decades-long jazz ensemble with performances across clubs, festivals and concert halls.

SELECTED COLLABORATIONS

Roy Hargrove · Pete Christlieb · Eric Marienthal

Named in Baba's 2022 For Bass Players Only artist interview.

TEACHING · AS REPORTED IN 2022

Cal Poly Pomona · Orange County School of the Arts

His teaching appointments were documented in a 2022 professional profile; current appointments are not presumed.

CAMPUS JAX · OCTOBER 15, 2026

Dave Murdy Trio with Tom Dante

Dave Murdy on guitar and vocals; Baba Elefante on bass; Tom Dante on drums.

RECORDINGS & MEDIA

Hear the interplay.

Pacific Symphony credits the Ron Kobayashi Trio with six CDs and a DVD, a recorded history that sits alongside years of festival, club and concert performances. JAXblast extends that story into a new live setting: the October 15, 2026 Dave Murdy Trio performance at Campus JAX, with Baba on bass and Tom Dante on drums.

THE RECORDED TRIO

Ron Kobayashi Trio — six CDs and a DVD

Pacific Symphony's public ensemble biography documents the recordings and longstanding band.

LIVE AT CAMPUS JAX · OCTOBER 15, 2026

Dave Murdy Trio — JAX Hideaway

Watch the performance with Dave Murdy, Baba Elefante and Tom Dante: https://youtube.com/live/7X1Txna4gHw

THE COLLECTIBLE

Dave Murdy JAX Momento 008-A

The free collectible features Dave from June 25, 2026; collectors who claim in the October 15 qualifying window can become eligible for a separate performance companion 008-B. https://www.jaxblast.com/momentos/dave-murdy-008-a

LIVE AT JAX

The Room Comes Alive.

START HERE · LIVE PERFORMANCE · CAMPUS JAX APPEARANCE · Oct 15, 2026

Dave Murdy Trio — Live from Campus JAX

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Previous JAX moments

REPLAY · Oct 15, 6:30 PM

Dave Murdy Trio

Jazz Guitar, Bass & Drums · JAX Hideaway