The first time I heard Chris Walker sing, I fell in love. In the onslaught of boy and girl bands in the 90's, here was a young, handsome guy who could make music do what it was supposed to do -- stir your soul.
The talented Mr. Walker had everything -- good looks, a powerhouse voice and blessed with the ability to write songs and play them. Walker not only is a bass player extraordinaire, he is master of the piano and drums as well.
Walker, who hails from Houston, Texas, quickly found his talents being honed playing for the likes of jazz great, Ornette Coleman, and R&B Diva, Regina Belle (A Whole New World). This led to his signing a recording contract with Pendulum Records (a division of CBS Records). His debut album, "First Time" was released and he quickly came to the public's attention spinning two Top Five singles, "Giving You All My Love' and "Take Time" which crossed over to the Top 30 on the Pop charts.
Unfortunately, Walker's 2nd and 3rd albums for Pendulum didn't meet with the success of the debut album. Undaunted, Walker spent the in-between working with other artists including fulfilling a life-long dream to work with jazz legend, Al Jarreau.
In 2011, Walker's latest effort was released called "Zone," The album brought him back into the public eye as a solo artist, after a four-year hiatus, and back to his die-hard fan base.
Working first as Jarreau's music director (a position he later resigned due to family matters) and currently as his bass player, here is where C-Style caught up with him (during a visit to Chicago in February) to find out where he's been and what's ahead.
CS: A few months ago, I saw that you were involved in an event in Houston called DocFest. Tell me how you became involved with the organization.
CW: I co-founded DocFest in 2013 in honor of my high school music teacher, Robert 'Doc' Morgan. We held our first fundraiser (which exceeded our goal) in December and the money provides a scholarship for a HSPVA (Houston School of Performing and Visual Arts) student to attend the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music (which I also attended) in New York.
CS: I see you had some big names who participated like (jazz saxophonist) Everette Harp.
CW: Yes. Everette and all the musicians who participated volunteered their time and talent to the event.
CS: So you're here in town to perform with Al Jarreau at The Venue (Hammond, Indiana). How did you become the bassist/music director for him?
CW: It was amazing. I had always wanted to work with him and then one day I got a call from a former teacher of mine (Gil Goldstein) who asked if I wanted to work with him. It was as if I had spoken it into being.
CS: So are you the music director now or working as his bass player or both?
CW: I was his music director for 12 years, but had to come off the road because my son (also named Chris) needed my guidance at the time. He was in his teenage years and kinda getting off the path listening to his peers.
CS: How long have you been back with (Jarreau) as his bass player?
CW: I've been back touring with him for the last three years.
CS: You've only done 4 albums in the last 20-something years. Why is that?
CW: Again, family commitments and I parted ways with Pendulum Records. Different agreements didn't work out and I was also busy working with other artists.
CS: Your last album (Zone) came out in 2011. What inspired it and how do you feel that your technique/sound was different from your other work?
CW: I tried to be current and create a sound I thought today's market warranted. I don't think I stayed true to myself, but I'm not going to do that on my next project. I have my own company now and have some ideas about what I want to do.
CS: That album, however, does have some really great songs. I absolutely love "Wish We Never Met." Who wrote that song?
CW: I wrote it. It's about a situation that I knew of. I can hear about something and make a song from it.
CS: Another song on the album is Luther Vandross' "If Only For One Night," What made you want to tackle a Luther song?
CW: I used to date Lisa Fischer (Twenty Feet From Stardom) who was one of his back-up singers, and I got the opportunity to meet him many times. I wanted to do something as a tribute to him. A kind of tipping my hat to him. I did it with a live orchestra which I also conducted. I wanted to do it the way music used to be done.
CS: Well you did a spectacular job of it.
CW: Thank you.
CS: So three more years have passed since Zone. You're touring with Jarreau, again. What else is in the works?
CW: Well, last year I got the opportunity to perform in South Africa. I found that I had a huge fan base there. It was an incredible experience. Around the time Zone came out I also became the subject of a documentary by film producer/writer, Andres Santamaria. I'm also working with (Grammy-winning jazz drummer) Terri Lyne Carrington on an album called 'Password,' and I have plans to work with (close friend and mentor) Regina Belle, again, too.
CS: What (if any) goals are you looking to pursue outside of music?
CW: I'm looking to help the next generation. That's something I'm doing with DocFest, and I'm also the Minister of Music at my church.
CS: Could we ever see an instrumental jazz album from you?
CW: Yes. I'd definitely love to do that.
CS: We've just watched the 57th GRAMMY Awards. What are your thoughts on how the industry is treating or promoting R&B/Jazz music?
CW: There's a lot of red tape to get your songs even played on the radio. One record's promotion can cost $50-$75,000 to reach a national audience. Also, with jazz, it's such a small market. You have maybe 200,000 people buying jazz records. The syndication of radio stations also made it harder to reach certain markets.
CS: As people get older, most of us start thinking about what we want our legacy to be. As an artist and a person, what would you like yours to be?
CW: Well, I'm only 29 (he jokes) but as an artist I could say that I wish I'd done more projects. On the other hand, I've been able to work with so many inspiring artists. I feel that I've been extremely blessed. On a personal level, family is very important to me.
CS: Is there anything else you want our readers to know about Chris Walker?
CW: (Laughing) Yeah. I've got a mean 3-point jump shot! (He plays with his son. He also relates his love of playing ping-pong as well).
CS: What else?
CW: It's better to give to someone. I like to be the giver, as opposed to taking without giving back. And in all things, give God the glory.
To learn more about Chris Walker, his music, projects and how to purchase his CD's log on to www.chriswalkermusic.com.
Photo credits: All photos courtesy of Chris Walker
No comments:
Post a Comment