To vocalist J.D. Walter, jazz is the Milky Way. He seeks the brightest spiritual center of music, using his pure voice as a tool for emphasizing innovative sounds and creative ideas.
He has a natural talent for transforming well-known songs into unique provocative tunes: His voice ranges from a low, almost whistling level to high-pitched tones. Walter is one if those rare professionals who is looking into the future of jazz, with a view to reexamine all the traditional aspects of jazz and give them a new twist. According to the talented improviser Walter, although all music nowadays is considered merely part of the entertainment industry, one of the most serious kinds of music, jazz, is going to remain the music of the 21st century.
Walter attended the University of North Texas where he studied vocal jazz. A gifted student, he became a featured soloist on university recordings and received oodles of awards from the International Association of Jazz Educators. Later, Walter left the United States for Amsterdam to polish his skills under the guidance of the famed recording artist Deborah Brown.
Walter’s first solo album, "Sirens in the C-House" brought him critical acclaim and praise. His second experimental release, "Clear Day," was created in collaboration with maestro and saxophonist Dave Liebman. Both albums made Walter a universally known musician with hordes of fans from all over the world. Walter has appeared on television and on many international radio stations. Besides, he’s been a featured artist at numerous American jazz festivals and clubs in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Arkansas, and Delaware and has performed at countless festivals in Europe and Russia.
Walter performed with many legendary artists, such as Liebman, singer/songwriter Bob Dorough, drummer Billy Hart, pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, guitarist Jimmy Bruno, pianist Trudy Pitts, bassist Hassan J.J. Wiggins, drummer Edgar Bateman, drummer Greg Hutchinson, drummer Ari Hoenig, bassist Francois Mouton, drummer Byron Landham, and saxophonist Tim Warfield.
Walter will give a gig at the Cool Train club, on August 9 at 9 p.m.