# Cedar Walton is one of the most influential musicians: Video

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2018/01/17/cedar-walton-is-one-of-the-most-influential-musicians-video/
- Published: 2018-01-17T00:04:27+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**17.01. – Happy Birthday !!! For over 25 years, pianist Cedar Walton has enjoyed
an uptempo career, which never seems to slow down. Maintaining a non-stop itinerary,
Walton has accompanied a litany of Jazz greats while also fronting his own successful
groups. **

Born 1934 in Dallas, Texas, Walton set his sights on a career in music at an early
age. An after- hours gig at the Denver Club introduced him to notable musicians 
like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane, who would sit in with Walton’s
group when they passed through town.

From there, Walton ventured to New York and began to work locally with Lou Donaldson,
Gigi Gryce, Sonny Rollins and Kenny Dorham before landing his first touring job 
with J.J. Johnson. Soon after, the pianist made his recording debut backing Kenny
Dorham on the Riverside album _Kenny Dorham Sings_. He also made two records with
J.J. Johnson’ s group on Columbia Records before joining the Art Farmer/Benny Golson
Jazztet, a group he toured and recorded with for two years. Walton’s next major 
musical association was with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. During his three
years tenure with Blakey, Walton stepped forward a composer, contributing originals
like _Mosaic_ and _The Promised Land_ to the group’s recordings for the Blue Note
and Riverside labels.

Walton left the Jazz Messengers to lead rhythm sections and trios throughout the
New York club and recording studio circuits. His debut recording as a leader came
in 1966 with the release of _Cedar_ on Prestige Records. From the late ’60s to early’
70s, Walton kept steady company with bassist Sam Jones and drummers Louis Hayes 
and Billy Higgins in multi-purpose trios that occasionally annexed saxophonists 
Clifford Jordan, George Coleman or Bob Berg for specific tours and albums.

During the ’80s, Walton embarked on a variety of interesting projects, which have
grown into lasting affiliations. In 1981, he formed a trio with Ron Carter and Billy
Higgins, which clicked right from the start. Around the same time, Walton became
part of the Timeless All-stars, a sextet also featuring Harold Land, Bobby Hutcherson,
Curtis Fuller, Buster Williams and Billy Higgins. Walton also ignited rhythm sections
behind the likes of Milt Jackson, Frank Morgan, Dexter Gordon and vocalists Ernestine
Anderson and Freddy Cole, and held the piano chair of The Trumpet Summit Band.

Walton’s efforts have been well documented on record. In addition to a host of dates
as a sideman, the pianist has been recording with his own groups at a prolific rate,
as evidenced by an assortment of albums on the Timeless, Discovery, Red Baron and
Steeple Chase record labels.

Walton is one of the most influential musicians. His original compositions like 
Bolivia, Clockwise and Firm Roots are frequently recorded by other musicians, and
have become part of the standard Jazz repertoire. His playing regularly receives
praise from critics, fellow Jazz musicians and audience around the world. Cedar 
Walton has emerged as a true master of the music he loves.

![Image result for Cedar Walton](https://i0.wp.com/www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/
styles/large-620/public/Walton-piano.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

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