|
Gene
Walker is a world class jazz saxophonist, composer, band leader,
recording studio musician, and educator. His art is rooted in the deepest traditions of
jazz. He performs with clarity, sincerity and originality. With a zeal for perpetuating
the art form through education, Mr. Walker conducts classes and seminars on the history
and contemporary developments in jazz.
Musician and Performer
Gene Walker has toured since 1958 with some of the world's greatest entertainers including
The Beatles, King Curtis, Jackie Wilson, Sam Cook, Johnny "Hammond" Smith, Jimmy
McGriff, The Drifters, Chris Columbo and The Platters.
In addition, he
lists a number of distinguished appearances including Carnegie Hall, NY; Town Hall, NY;
Greenbriar, White Sulphur Springs, WV; Saratoga Jazz Festival; and Symphony Hall, Newark
NJ. In 1998 Mr. Walker appeared with noted actor Paul Winfield in Chicago at Prairie State
College in affiliation with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra.
Mr. Walker has also played at the following European venues: Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club,
London,U.K.; Umbria Jazz Festival, Italy; and Euro-Disneyland, Paris. In 1997 Gene
performed with the Hank Marr Quartet at the North Sea Jazz Festival at the Hague, Holland.
Their performance was rewarded with numerous standing ovations.
He has played with many notable musicians and entertainers:
Buster Brown, Brook Benton, Wilson Picket, Aretha Franklin, Etta Jones, Benny Green, Irene
Reid, Wild Bill Davis, Bobby Shu, Hank Mar,r Jimmy Scott, Faye Adams, Roy Hamilton, Little
Anthony, Brenda Lee, Shep and the Limelights, The Chantels, Charles Earland, King Coleman,
Lloyd Price, Jimmy Reed, Isley Brothers, Neil Diamond, Neil Sedaka, Melba Moore, Billy
Daniels, Jon Thomas, Gil Askey, Dayton Selby, Elvin Jones, Jimmy Jones, Jack McDuff
Mr. Walker performs with his own
bands Gene Walker's Generations Band and Gene Walker's Cotton Club Orchestra. He also
enjoys an impressive solo career.
Educator
After a distinguished performing career, Mr. Walker returned home to Columbus, Ohio, for
the purpose of becoming an educator. He received a Bachelor of Music Arts degree from The
Ohio State University in 1988. The following year he accepted a teaching position at OSU
instructing jazz saxophone and combo classes. He participates at OSU Jazz Ensemble camp
each summer teaching jazz history and saxophone. It is Mr. Walker's great pleasure to
bring the jazz tradition into schools through the American Jazz Experience Program, and
the Jazz Professors Performing Septet. He has served in arts residencies with the Ohio
Arts Council and the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Mr. Walker has instructed jazz
saxophone and combo in the prestigious Jamey Aebersold Jazz camps in 1998 and 1999.
Awards and Distinctions
International Association of Jazz Educators every year since 1993
Jazz Fest Cuyahoga College, Cleveland ,Ohio
Columbus Musicians Hall of Fame, 1998
Discography
"Rediscovering Old Favorites", Chris Columbo Quintet: Strand Records
"Love Potion #9" with
Johnny "Hammond" Smith; Prestige Records
"The Golden Thrush" with
Byrdie Green; Prestige Records
"Listen Here" with
Freddie McCoy; Prestige Records
"It's About Time" with
Hank Marr; Double Time Records
"A Great Big Helping of Jazz
and Eggs", with Gene Walker's Generations Band and friends, Listen For the Jazz
Records
"More Jazz and Eggs",
with Gene Walker's Generations Band, Listen For the Jazz Records
"Columbus Jazz is Community
Music", with Gene Walker's Generations Band, Listen For the Jazz Records
"Provisions" with Sean
Camey and the Nite Owlz, Main Street Records
"The Happy Organ" with
Dave Baby Cortez
"The Broom Switch" with
Lloyd Price
Promark Demonstration CD with Elvin
Jones
Publishings
"Me and Gene" with Vince Andrews; Gerard Records Listen for the Jazz Kevnotes
in Columbus History
|
