J.D. Walter

J.D. Walter (born July 2nd 1967 in Abington, PA-a suburb of Philadelphia- USA) is a progressive jazz vocalist who currently lives in New York City. Walter's style has drawn comparisons to Betty Carter, Nat King Cole, and Milton Nascimento. Walter is also recognized as a pioneer in the use of electronic effects and looping devices, implementing them in live performance situations with his ensembles, as well as solo work.

Biography & Musical Career

At age 6, JD joined the Saint Lukes Boychoir, and later sang in the American Boychoir school. He attended the University of North Texas through a vocal jazz scholarship and was a featured soloist on some of the university's recordings. After spending seven years in Texas and receiving various awards from the International Association of Jazz Educators, he relocated to Amsterdam, Holland to study with Deborah Brown.

JD has performed at festivals in Europe, the Middle East, Central America and Russia, and has performed in more than 100 cities internationally. JD has performed at events for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and the Music Educators National Conference. He has taught at a number of institutions, including the Sibelius/Kuopio Conservatory in Finland, Jazz Palau De Valencia in Spain, The University of North Texas, The Moscow Music Consort, the Kazan Music Conservatory in Russia, and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He currently resides in New York City, where he performs frequently; he also teaches at the Aaron Copeland School of Music at Queens College, and The New School.

Among the musicians Walter has worked with are: Dave Liebman, Bob Dorough, Billy Hart, Nicholas Payton, Jean-Michel Pilc, Bill Evans, John Benitez, Mark Murphy, Greg Hutchinson, Ari Hoenig, Bill Goodwin, Randy Brecker, Tim Warfield, Jim Ridl, John Swana, Seamus Blake, Taurus Mateen, Orrin Evans, Sean Jones, Randy Brecker, Miles Griffith, and Sonia Sanchez.

Discography

*Sirens in the C-House (Encounter/Dreambox media Records 2000)
*Clear Day (Doubletime Records 2001) a collaboration with 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)

References

* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:jzfwxqekldje~T1 J.D. Walter] at Allmusic

External links

[http://www.jdwalter.com/ J.D. Walter's Official Website]