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walter norris
Jazz / Experimental / Indie

"the official walter norris music page"

Berlin
Germany

Profile Views:  1134




Last Login:  6/14/2008
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 MySpace URL: 
  http://www.myspace.com/walternorrismusic  

   walter norris: General Info
Member Since3/14/2008
Band Websitewalternorrisfilm.com
Band Membersaldo vigorito, putter smith, mads vinding, mike richmond, george mraz, larance marable, joe henderson, mike heyman, larry grenadier, neil swainson, harold jones, joe pass, chet baker, aladar pege, ronnie bedford, charles mingus, danny richmond, ricky ford, jack walrath, red mitchell, dexter gordon, red rodney, thad jones, jerry dodgion, lee katzman, pepper adams, makaya ntshoko, billy bean, hal gaylor, johnny griffin, louie bellson, harry ’sweets’ edison, stan getz, scott lafarro, ornette coleman, don cherry, don payne, billy higgins, clifford brown, max roach, shelly manne, shorty rodgers, eric dolphy, bill holman, gary frommer, morris edwards, sonny criss, teddy edwards, buddy woodson, gene gammage, vido musso, zoot sims, frank rosolino, charlie mariano, max bennett, mel lewis, herb geller, jack sheldon, ralph pena, bob whitlock, george duvivier, chico hamilton, carson smith, buddy colette, jimmy ford, mose allison, bitsy mullins, billy scarlett, howard williams and many others.
Influencesart tatum, beethoven, bud powell, charlie parker, chopin, dizzy gillespie, errol garner, frank fernandez, heida hermanns, j s bach, jimmy ford, john summers, lester young, nat cole, noel lee, rachmaninoff, sonny stitt, sviatoslav richter, teddy wilson, thad jones, tony d’amore.

* * * *

walter’s discography:

1954 — "Jack Sheldon Quartet & Quintet" Jack Sheldon (Sheldon’s debut)

1955 — “Frankly Speaking” Frank Rosolino

1958 — "Something Else!!!! The Music of Ornette Coleman" Ornette Coleman (Coleman’s debut)

1961 — "The Trio" The Trio (w/Billy Bean & Hal Gaylor)

1974 — "All Night Through" Klaus Weiss Sextet

1974 — "Drifting" (w/Aladar Pege & George Mraz)

1974 — "Git Go" Klaus Weiss Sextet

1975 — "Julian" Pepper Adams

1975 — “New Life: Dedicated to Max Gordon” Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra

1978 — “Synchronicity” (w/Aladar Pege)

1978 — "Stepping On Cracks" (w/George Mraz & Ronnie Bedford)

1980 — "Winter Rose" (w/Aladar Pege)

1988 — "My Favorite Songs, Vol. 1 & 2: The Last Great Concert" Chet Baker (Baker’s last)

1988 — “Jazz Song Book” Herb Geller

1989 — "Wizard of Oz Suite" Phil Wilson

1990 — “Joe Pass in Hamburg” Joe Pass & the NDR Big Band

1990 — "Live at Maybeck Recital Hall" (solo piano)

1990 — "Lush Life" (w/Neil Swainson & Harold Jones)

1991 — "Sunburst" (w/Joe Henderson, Larry Grenadier & Mike Heyman)

1992 — "Love Every Moment" (w/Putter Smith & Lance Marable)

1995 — "Hues of Blues" (w/George Mraz)

1998 — "From Another Star" (w/Mike Richmond)

2002 — "Miles Away" Tony Lujan

2006 — "Elements N Motion" (w/Putter Smith)

Sounds Likethe one and only.
Record LabelSunburst
Type of LabelIndie




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   About walter norris
Walter Norris is one of the world’s great pianists. Though he’s most known inside the jazz world, having performed and recorded with many leading artists, the most fascinating thing about Walter is how his work has continued to evolve. He has blurred the line between jazz and classical music, joining the ideas of Bach, Mozart and Chopin to those of Louie Armstrong, Art Tatum and Charlie Parker, building on the past to make a music that is very much of the present, even of the future.

“…Norris has moved beyond his bebop beginnings.” ~ Leonard Feather, Los Angeles Times

Walter Norris was born Dec. 27, 1931, in Little Rock, Arkansas, in the United States. He began studying the piano when he was a child and was playing professionally by the age of 12. In the 1950s he lived in Los Angeles and was part of the West Coast scene, working with a long list of artists including Art Pepper, Buddy DeFranco, Frank Rosolino, Charlie Mariano, Jack Sheldon, Teddy Edwards, Eric Dolphy, Zoot Sims, Herb Geller, Ornette Coleman, Don Cherry, Billy Higgins, Stan Getz, Johnny Griffin, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Leroy Vinnegar and Louie Bellson.

In 1960 Walter moved to New York City and formed The Trio with guitarist Billy Bean and bassist Hal Gaylor and recorded the album "The Trio." He was musical director of the New York City Playboy Club from 1963 until 1970 and during that time studied classical piano with Heida Hermanns at the Manhattan School of Music.

In 1974 Walter recorded the album "Drifting" with bassists Aladar Pege and George Mraz, his first album under his own name. The same year he joined the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra.

In 1976 he performed in Europe with Dexter Gordon, Zoot Sims, Red Rodney and Red Mitchell, then returned to the states and became a member of the Charles Mingus Quintet.

In January of 1977 Walter left the United States and moved to Berlin, Germany, to perform with the Sender-Fries Radio Orchestra. He continued to record, releasing "Synchronicity" (1978, w/Aladar Pege), "Stepping on Cracks" (1978, w/George Mraz and Ronnie Bedford) and "Winter Rose" (1980, w/Aladar Pege). In 1988 he began the jazz program at Berlin’s Hochschule der Kunste and taught there until 94.

In 1990 Walter signed a 5-album contract with the Concord label and released "Live at Maybeck Recital Hall" (1990), "Lush Life" (1990, with Neil Swainson and Harold Jones), "Sunburst" (1991, w/Joe Henderson, Larry Grenadier and Mike Heyman), "Love Every Moment" (1992, w/Putter Smith and Larance Marable), and "Hues of Blues" (1995, w/George Mraz). In 1998 he formed his own label to produce the album "From Another Star" with bassist Mike Richmond.

Lately Walter has spent a great amount of time creating an autobiography (not yet released) and a book that contains his practice and performance techniques (available very soon). He is the subject of a documentary film, "From Another Star: The Life and Work of Walter Norris," which is scheduled for release in the summer of 2008.

Walter continues to practice hours a day as he has since his childhood.

* * * *

What critics have said:

“Without any doubt, Walter Norris is one of the most important solo pianists in the second half of the twentieth century. His inexhaustible wealth of ideas and outstanding pianistic mastery is not to be found in the world of jazz.” ~ Jorg Engels, Jazz Podium

“Walter Norris is a brilliant pianist, a virtuoso…..” ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

“…..it is no exaggeration to call him one of a kind. Many pianists have distinctive styles and sounds, Norris, however, goes beyond any classification, either as a pianist-composer or a visionary. ~ Francesca Nemko, Jazz Now

“Possessed of a demonic technique and a rare harmonic imagination, he divides his time between the original works, mocked by the ever-shifting iridescence of his chordal concepts, and versions of standard tunes that he elevates to new levels of sophistication. ~ Leonard Feather, Los Angeles Times

“Walter Norris makes music with a staggering facility…..great and vivacious piano-playing, somewhere between Mozart and Bartok.” ~ Baldur Bockhoff, Suddeutsche Zeitung

“This is inebriating music, music which celebrates the piano both as an instrument and as a concept.” ~ Gary Giddins, The Village Voice

“If classical keyboardists were still expected to improvise as in previous centuries, there might be more pianists like Walter Norris.” ~ Jon Pareles, New York Times

“Walter Norris is a consummate pianist and deep rhapsodist whom the Japanese, in their reverence for artistry, would call a living national treasure.” ~ Fred Bouchard, DownBeat

“Walter Norris is one of the elder statesmen of the jazz piano.” ~ Jorg Knobloch, All About Jazz

“…Walter Norris has been and continues to be one of my favorite pianists.” ~ Fred Jung, Jazz Weekly

“Walter Norris is the Art Tatum of the 90’s.” ~ Zan Stewart, Los Angeles Times

“In many ways, I think Walter may be unparalleled at this particular time. Well, for all time. I can’t think of anybody in the past that does the things that he does.” ~ Whitney Balliett

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   walter norris's Friend Space (Top 28)
walter norris has 382 friends.
 Jeanfrançois Prins 


 Judy Niemack 


 andreas schmidt 


 tony pancella 


 Aldo Vigorito 

Is Online
 Alan Broadbent 


 Charlie Parker 


 Art Tatum 


 Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra 


 Billy Bean 


 Stan Getz 


 Red Rodney 


 Joe Henderson 


 Charles Mingus 


 Mads Vinding 


 Tony Lujan 


 Pepper Adams 


 Zoot Sims & Al Cohn 


 Phineas Newborn Jr 


 J. S. BACH 


 Don Cherry 


 Joe Pass 


 Frank Rosolino 


 Chet Baker 


 BUDDY RICH 


 Little Rock, Arkansas 


 BERLIN 


 Chuck Dodson 





walter norris's Friends Comments
Displaying 29 of 29 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
andrea bartelucci





Jun 23 2008 7:15 PM

What's the deal with this person??? She wrote something bad about you in their blog... CLICK HERE
TONEX (The London Letters)





Jun 15 2008 10:33 AM

Thanks for the add....awesome music you got here...nice work on "Afterthoughts"...:)

Have a listen to Tonex's "The London Letters" and let us know what you think....


Photobucket
[ BUY NOW ]

andrea bartelucci





Jun 3 2008 10:47 AM

Dear Walter, thanks for your friendship. You are a wonderful musician and a great pianist.
Here's an easy song to make you smile:
Selena
Best wishes
Andrea Bartelucci
CONFUSA TRIO





Jun 1 2008 6:16 PM

Hola Walter! thanks for share your space and music with us. Best regards from Argentina. Confusa Trio.
Dr-KAOLIMBA





Apr 28 2008 5:41 PM

Hello!! from Japan!

Have a wonderful week!

Peace!^^/

☆ I&I Musical Instrument ☆
MYLES DRENNAN





Apr 23 2008 5:38 PM

Hi Walter,thanks for the request and beautiful paino playing, Its an honor.
I would love to find out more about your book on practice ideas etc.
DANIEL SAX





Apr 22 2008 2:35 AM

Thank you for req. Congratulation for your music.
I'm honored to have you amoung my friends.
Daniel SAX
Josh DiStefano Quartet





Apr 19 2008 7:37 AM

Walter,

You are an amazing talent! I am in awe. From another Star is wonderful. Thanks for your friendship.

Josh
CHEQUENDEKE





Apr 18 2008 1:45 AM

Thanks for adding us!!
Happy to be your friend !!

Love & Respect from TOKYO Japan

CHEQUENDEKE!!

Silvia





Apr 13 2008 11:05 AM

Honered to be be among your friends Mr.Norris,Thank you! I listened to you at Teatro Marrucino (Chieti)and it was a kind of magic!
Silvia
Gilles Mortiaux





Apr 12 2008 3:52 AM

Hello, thanx for your request...
Very honoured to become one of your friends!
Dodecaphonic jazz...mmmh!
wolfsound





Apr 11 2008 4:37 AM

hi walter,
thank you for yesterdays concert.....i'm looking forward for tonights recording.
see you
wolf
Scored Changes





Apr 11 2008 2:31 AM

Many thanks for being a friend. Your fantastic piano-playing took my breath away. Absolutely wonderful! I feel deeply honoured.
Jazirkus





Apr 9 2008 8:30 AM

Thanks for the request.
And what amazing music you have in here!
Magdalena Reising





Apr 7 2008 5:08 PM

Dear Walter
Thankyou so much for the request. It's an honour to be asked.Completly stunning playing!
bessings
magdalena x
Bev





Apr 7 2008 3:24 AM

Thanks so much for the add! Wonderful page... GREAT TRACKS!

My Best,
Bev
marco-fumo





Apr 6 2008 12:58 AM

Thank you for find me, welcome among
my friends and thank you for the
beautiful music!!
All the best,
Marco.
anders t andersen sextet jazz jazz





Apr 4 2008 9:04 AM

Hello Walter
Thank you so much for the friendship, and for the beautiful music!!
anders t andersen sextet jazz, jazz!!
Luis Dagostino





Apr 2 2008 7:22 AM

Hello Walter:
Thanks a llot for being in touch.
All best wishes,
Luis
Stan Getz





Mar 31 2008 6:50 AM

Stan would be honored Walter. Thank you!

Best Wishes,
Bev Getz
Axel Lenarduzzi





Mar 31 2008 2:26 AM

Thanks for the request ! it's a great pleasure to discover your music !
changjing





Mar 26 2008 3:11 AM

thank you for your great music,hope to see you in beijing
wolfsound





Mar 25 2008 3:01 AM

dear walter,
i dig you on EARTH and up in SPACE....
but even more so since your music is
up there as well.
love & peace
wolf
Chick Corea





Mar 22 2008 5:38 AM

Hello Walter, many thanks for being our friend and appreciating Chick's music.
Nice to meet you on this tribute page.
Chick Corea Fans Corner
andreas schmidt





Mar 21 2008 2:02 PM

oh boy .... waaaaaalter...... for more than 20 years i hear his music and have him as a teacher. and its like hearing music, which is there, but not constant. like moving. like always being at some other place. like astrophysics with parts having no concrete place. like walter. he is everywhere at the same time. here, there, today, yesterday, tomorrow. no time limits. time traveller.....
all the best for the new recording .... actually done with my two neumann mikes and me turning pages....
lieben gruss
andreas
myspace. com/slowmotionemotion
Toots Thielemans





Mar 21 2008 3:16 AM

Thanks for the req! I feel best in that little (my)space between a smile and a tear. And hope, you like it there too... ;-)



Toots Thielemans,
p.p.
Toots' management Uncle Jazz



Pier Carlo Penta





Mar 21 2008 2:36 AM

Dear M°Norris,
I'm so glad you contacted me
it's wonderful to hear you in these tracks!
Thanks for the invitation and perhaps our
paths will cross sometime.
All the best,
Pier
Aldo Vigorito


Is Online


Mar 20 2008 7:45 PM

Walter thank you for your friendship. Hope to see you soon and play toghether. A big hug,
Aldo
Red Rodney





Mar 20 2008 11:22 AM

Thanks for the invite. Red would've been honored. Keep swinging...

all the best,
Mark Rodney
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