Orrin Evans, Donald Edwards, John Benitez, Dave Liebman, Jean Michel Pilc, Steve Varner, LuvPark, Ralph Bowen, Tim Warfield, Tony Marino, Ari Hoenig, Jim Ridl, Marko Marcinko, Steve Rudolph, Mark Kelly, Greg Hutchinson, Steve Rudolph, John Swana
Influences
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2BASS A FACE AND A LITTLE SKIN !!!!
--------------------------------------------- WITH-ARI HOENIG DRUMS, TONY MARINO BASS, STEVE VARNER BASS----------------------------------------------------------
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Recent Review from a gig at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles
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April 2nd 2008
LA Times Jazz review
JD Walter at Jazz Bakery
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By Don Heckman, Special to The LA Times
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Jazz singer JD Walter opened his set Monday at the Jazz Bakery with what he described as a "derangement" of the standard "It Never Entered My Mind." The word was intended as a pun, of course, Walter's way of describing his method of "de-arranging" familiar material into entirely new musical entities.
He wasn't kidding. Rather than mess with any postmodern deconstruction, Walter simply started with fragments that had no immediately noticeable connection with the song. Using elements of scat phrasing, bits and pieces of lyrics, an occasional reference to melody, he eventually wound up with a recognizable overview of "It Never Entered My Mind." But, even at that, harmonies were skewed, the rhythm shifted and the melody found its own life.
Walter dealt similarly with another pair of standards -- "If I Should Lose You" and "Never Let Me Go" --sometimes homing in on the original songs, sometimes dancing freely around their outer edges. Like Bobby McFerrin, Mark Murphy and Rhiannon, Walters is reshaping what jazz singing is all about. He is opening up familiar material to the most adventurous kinds of interpretation, while continuing to engage and entertain his audiences.
One of the best examples was his solo rendering of James Taylor's "Shower the People." Using a combination of electronic devices, Walter created a gorgeously self-harmonized version of the song, replete with a low-note, vocal bass line. As a technical feat it was remarkable; as a musical performance, it was even better.
Walter, who was backed superbly by pianist Orrin Evans and (remarkably) by 17-year-old drummer Justin Faulkner, was making his L.A. debut -- a reflection of his relatively low visibility on the music business radar. And that's a shame, since he is an original in an art overpopulated with copycats.
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If You Think JD Walter is deserving of more recognition, fill out this years down beat poll and write him in as your favorite male vocalist at:
http://66.179.50.166/s.aspx?sm=GyLFnJF9EdH1dBFnnfq40Q_3d_3d
JD Walter is a Jazz singers singer-a purist and an innovator. Although his style has been compared to many vocal Titans, it is in the same breath, uniquely his own, and he has become a singular phenomenon on the music scene. Respected and lauded by the great musicians of the contemporary circuit, J.D. has shared the stage with many legendary artists including: saxophonist Dave Liebman, singer/songwriter Bob Dorough, drummer Billy Hart, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, saxophonist Bill Evans, bassist John Benitez, singer Mark Murphy, drummer Greg Hutchinson, drummer Ari Hoenig, drummer Bill Goodwin, trumpeter Randy Brecker, saxophonist Tim Warfield, pianist Jim Ridl, trumpeter John Swana, bassist Taurus Mateen, pianist Orrin Evans, trumpeter Randy Brecker, pianist Andre Kondokov, singer Miles Griffith, and Poet Sonia Sanchez.
J.D. is grateful for his childhood introduction to the world of music. A product of his familial church boychoir, J.D. went on to sing with the renowned "American Boychoir". He attended the University of North Texas via a vocal jazz scholarship and became a featured soloist on university recordings. After receiving various awards from the International Association of Jazz Educators, he left the United States to live in Amsterdam, Holland to study with acclaimed recording artist Deborah Brown.
J.D. has currently recorded 5 CD's. "Sirens in the C-House" (Encounter/Dreambox media Records 2000) brought him much critical acclaim. His second cd, the innovative and experimental "Clear Day" (Doubletime Records2001) is a collaboration with master musician Dave Liebman. "Dedicated to You" with the Steve Rudolph trio (PACT records 2004), "2Bass, a Face and a little skin" (Encounter/Dreambox media Records 2006) and a self released,"live in Portugal" (JWal records 2008) released in September 2008. His first 4 recordings made it to the "Top 25 Jazz Release" list of internationally syndicated jazz DJ Bob Parlocha. Moreover, his cds have helped expand J.D.'s listening audience from the shores of America to Europe, Russia, and the Far East. JD has been a guest artist on many CD's, is also a member of pianist Orrin Evans Luvpk band, with 2 releases on Imani Records (04,07) as well as performing 3 songs on trumpeter Sean Jones latest release, "kaleidoscope", on Mack Avenue records.
JD has appeared on many international radio and television broadcast stations including: NBC television, National Public Radio, National Finland Radio; and Radio Extreme, Helsinki. He has appeared on live Russian television and radio broadcasts, CNN Latin America, as well as having served as guest host on various American radio stations. J.D. has been a featured artist at countless American jazz festivals and clubs, performed at numerous festivals in Europe, the Middle East, Central America and toured Russia 20 times, performing in over 100 cities.
A vocal coach for many emerging artists, J.D. is in demand as a clinician at schools and universities. He has performed numerous clinics for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Music Educators National Conference, and has taught at the prestigious Sebelius Conservatory in Helsinki Finland, Jazz Palau De Valencia in Spain, Ionian University in Greece, The University of North Texas (invited back as the first vocalist ever on their lecture series), The Moscow Music Consort, and the Kazan Music Conservatory in Russia. JD is a regular on the Music Scene in New York having headlined at such venues as, Lincoln Center, The Jazz Standard, The Jazz Gallery, Joe's Pub, The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Sweet Rhythm, Smoke, and can be seen frequently at the famed 55 Bar. He was also formerly on the faculty of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Currently resides in New York City, teaches at The Aaron Copeland School of Music, The New School, and can be heard at many major jazz clubs and events.
I'm Co Hosting The Dave Charles radio show this sunday (1st Nov) 102.3hfm from 19.00GMT, never co hosted a whole show before and a little nervous, so if you could listen in and show some support it would really appreciated x
Jon to JD: Good to see you on the Space JD, my friend Reijo in Finland recommended you over to me. Come down to Local 802 on Monday nights, I'm always there if I'm in town, a lot of good cats come every time. Have a good time in Moscow, safe trip. best, Jon *Memb. AFM Local 802 & Local 6
JON HAMMOND Organ Trio in Moscow Russia Igor Butman tenor Eduard Zizak drums "Easy Living" *WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:
Hi JD. How you doing? I hoppe that you are fine. Congratulations for your wonderful version of "The way you look tonight". I really love your fantastic inprovisation and your work with the Loop Station. THe Greatest JD Walter. See you soon and take care man. Bruno Cazabonne.
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