Art Baron joined the Duke Ellington band in August 1973 at the age of 23, the last trombonist Ellington ever hired. Previously he had spent time on the road working with Buddy Rich, Stevie Wonder, and James Taylor. Since then Baron has built a career as one of New York's most distinguished jazz, studio, and pit trombonists.

His plunger work can also be heard on such recordings as Bobby Watson's The Year of the Rabbit (Evidence), Frank Wess' Entre Nous (Concord Jazz), and Weird Nightmare: Meditations on Mingus. He is also the leader of "The Duke's Men," a band made up of the Ellington alumni, and a popular and respected clinician.