"Love Having You Around" - Art Baron

“Love Having You Around” (PDF) from the Stevie Wonder album, Music of My Mind.

In 1971, Stevie Wonder released his first album that was considered to be an artistic statement. As a product of the Motown hit machine, "Little" Stevie Wonder was bound to the record label's artist-development contract throughout the previous decade, limiting the performer’s creative output and compensation. At the age of 21, Wonder managed to negotiate a more lucrative recording contract with Motown based on the promise of an album produced independently by the songwriter, influenced by the advancements in musical synthesizers and recording technology, and showcased his musical abilities to perform all but two of the instruments on Music of My Mind.

Those additional parts were covered by musicians with similarly Wonder-ous names: guitarist Buzz Feiten and trombonist Art Baron. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Art Baron likely crossed paths with Stevie Wonder around New York City and, being the same age, could have easily been one of first names that the songwriter called to perform the funky trombone solo on the album’s opening track, “Love Having You Around.” In a similar manner, Baron later joined Duke Ellington’s band after his name had been recommended - as someone to love having around - and he became the last trombonist to be personally hired by the composer, establishing Baron’s career as an ambassador of big band music.

Here is a YouTube series of interviews with Art Baron about his time performing with Duke Ellington:

Recommended reading: “Masterclass with Art Baron: An Introduction to the Plunger” by Bob Bernotas. Online Trombone Journal. July 1, 1999