Walter Clark

Born in Brooklyn, New York

 With a repertoire of over 500 songs spanning multiple genres and decades he has been able to excite and satisfy listeners of varied backgrounds and maintain a career exclusively as a full-time performing artist since 1980. Unique and non- traditional in his approach to harmony and arrangement.  Sometimes called "the singer with the bedroom voice," he covers music that has a positive message timelessness and staying power. Through a wide variety of musical genres and original arrangements Walter imbues every performance with a jazz ambiance delivering relaxing renditions of ballads and love songs. Latest CD Night And Day,  a collection of recordings made from 2001-2020, some from old CDs live and studio recordings. lounge, new age, ethnic, jazz, rock, pop and gospel music.  Born in Brooklyn New York, he studied classical music for 10 years in Philadelphia, but took a U turn in his studies in the mid- sixties and decided to pursue more popular music, learning by ear some of his favorites by such greats as Ramsey Lewis, The Beatles, McCoy Tyner and Quincy Jones.

 Detailed Biographical Information: He attended Temple University in Philadelphia, where he formed The Last Musicians, an avante-garde group of poets, actors, and musicians who produced films, soundtracks, concerts, and appeared in radio programs for the university for two years. Walter found Philadelphia a difficult place to find steady work, especially since most of the music which he was writing at the time was what would probably be categorized today as “New Age Music.” He had all but given up on a musical career until a fateful meeting with John Lennon and Yoko Ono in the early 70's at the Drake Hotel in Philadelphia. After talking, drinks, and an impromptu jam session in the lounge John fervently urged him, “Don't give up on your music, man.” But it was a long road back, and he spent most of the 70's surviving by working various jobs: truck driver, taxi driver, construction worker, armed guard, and occasionally finding work on weekends with the local R&B bands. Walter eventually relocated to the Washington, D.C. area in 1979, and decided after the death of Lennon to put all of his energies into becoming a full time musician. “From the moment I made that decision, everything changed. Before that, I had been content to work a day job and gig at night, but now Lennon's words came back to haunt me. I realized that over 7 years had passed since the meeting and I still had not made a firm and complete commitment to my art, and had made no progress. It was time to make a choice. It was very scary to just up and quit my job, but little by little, positive things started happening to me.” During the early 1980's he performed as a lead vocalist, backup vocalist, and multi-keyboard player in a variety of Top 40, Rock, Soul, Reggae, and Jazz groups. In 1983 a talent scout saw him performing in a group, and invited him to become the regular entertainer at former Washington Redskins' quarterback Joe Theismann's Restaurant in Bailey's Crossroads Virginia. There he began his solo career and worked for two years, building up his repertoire, fans, and his confidence as an artist. He then moved on to the Washington, D.C. hotel circuit, first with a full time position entertaining at the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, a 5 Star hotel in Rockville, Maryland, and then at the Olde Towne Holiday Inn, in Alexandria, Virginia, and the Ramada Hotel in Oxon Hill Maryland, where he entertained for a period of three years. On October 3, 1986 he appeared at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C. in a noontime concert entitled “Portraits in Jazz” sponsored by the National Portrait Gallery of Washington. In 1989 a friend submitted one of Walter's tapes to Quincy Jones. Although Quincy was reportedly very excited about his fresh and original sound he was too busy with other projects to get involved with Walter, but sent the word back that he should get out of the hotel circuit, and do some traveling, preferably internationally in order to expand his horizons. “ I wasn't expecting to hear anything from Quincy. The fact that one of my idols had actually took the time to listen to my demo, that he liked it and had even offered some advice was a stupendous event to me. I immediately decided to make some international connections and see what would come of it.” And in November 1989, Walter decided to do just that and to try his luck on the road. After several trips to the Far East he settled in Japan. Why Japan? My interest in Japan started at a young age. In my pre-teens I studied judo from a Japanese sensei in Philadelphia. Then later in college I continued judo and also took up an interest in Japanese cooking and adopted their macrobiotic diet. So when the gig in Japan came up, I jumped at the chance to see this country. The Japanese audiences' level of sophistication, respect and knowledge of jazz here was a big surprise to me. The people have been very kind and supportive. Its peaceful, clean, safe and quiet here, and I love the food. Since 1992 it has been his base of operations, and between international engagements, he has worked there in Tokyo, Kobe, Osaka, and Fukuoka in various clubs, restaurants, and 4 star hotel's numerous dinner shows, concerts and special events . He frequently performs nightly at THE BAR in Osaka's Ritz Carlton Hotel. The warm and relaxing quality of his vocal intonation has enabled him to work in a variety of fields, including that of a narrator and actor.  

In 2006 he released a solo CD entitled Many Splendid Things, a jazz fusion collection of uniquely arranged standards. "During regular performance I play many styles of music but my aim in producing this CD is to showcase a few of my favorite standard tunes for the enjoyment of the more adult listeners." Frequently performing nightly at the Ritz Carlton, and St. Regis hotel in Osaka Japan, Walter also teaches, and occasionally works with juveniles in the Japanese school system.

Walter Clark first began his musical study in Philadelphia at the age of 5. "Long before I was old enough to go to school, my earliest influence was Nat King Cole. I'll never forget the sound of his music, and the warm and special experience of watching"The Nat King Cole Show" on T.V."

What was your aim in producing this new CD?

After the success of the last CD, Perfect Love, I wanted to do an all original CD, but there was a huge demand for me to first do an album of standards tunes for the more adult listeners. My aim in producing Many Splendid Things, is to showcase a few of my favorite standard tunes, and give fans more songs, better quality recording, and a great performance. And so far, the album has been very well received in Japan. A lot of folk, after they bought it and listened to it, have come up to congratulate me and praise the album.

What musical instruments were used on this album and how was it recorded?

The basic core is piano bass and vocals, all recorded live and in real time. But there's plenty of flute, sax and guitar as well as some light string orchestration. And Andre Black came over and laid down a couple of smooth trumpet solos. "Many Splendid Things," is a jazzy collection of uniquely arranged standards. “During regular performance I play many styles of music but my aim in producing this CD is to showcase a few of my favorite standard tunes for the enjoyment of the more adult listeners. Performing live is definitely my forte, so arranging a CD with so many varied instruments was a challenge, but quite a pleasure. To be perfectly honest with you, I am probably not what one would call a pure jazz player. I'm a lounge player who happens to play a lot of jazz...as well as many other styles. Many Splendid Things is an album of standards, and it was something that my fans were craving at this point in time.

Have you always been solo performer? Not at all. Its just something I evolved into. Partly the result of me wanting to do things my way. Once I get an idea about how something should be done I don't like to compromise. I just take it for granted that others will either help me do it or leave me alone to do it myself.

Who were some of your other musical influences?

Miles, Monk and the classics as I was growing up. I liked to listen to Motown, The Beatles and pop music. One day I heard Ramsey Lewis' version of 'The IN Crowd,' and decided I wanted to learn to play like that, so I started teaching myself jazz. I met Edgar Brown, who was a DJ at Temple University's jazz radio station. He gave me an album. It was John Coltrane's "Favorite Things." Listening to what Coltrane and the piano player were doing on the title cut seemed to open the door to a whole new world for me. Of course the piano player turned out to be McCoy Tyner. In the early 70's when I had all but given up on a musical career John Lennon encouraged me not to quit. He was a big inspiration to me, and even more so after he died. Quincy Jones. was a huge influence. He heard one of my demo tapes and encouraged me to do some international traveling, in order to expand my horizons. And that's how I came to live in Japan.

And what's that like?

My interest in Japan started at a young age. In my pre-teens I studied judo from a Japanese sensei in Philadelphia. Then later in college I took up an interest in Japanese cooking. So when the gig in Japan came up, I jumped at the chance to see the country. The Japanese audiences' level of sophistication, respect and knowledge of jazz here was a big surprise to me. Its peaceful, clean, safe and quiet here, and I love the food.

What is your goal as an entertainer?

Constant improvement. To create music that is healing, in whatever form possible.There's a certain joy that comes when you hit a tune and see the faces of your audience light up with recognition and pleasure. When I give folks that feeling every night, I know I'm doing my job right.

Many Splendid Things, released in Japan late October 2006 went into a second pressing and was re- released on April 17, 2008. The last copy in America sold out on September 1, 2011. A third pressing of a remastered version of the CD was released September 2011. Distribution in America and international markets is currently being handled by CD Baby Currently, only the CD will be available in the remastered form. An MP3 version of the remastered album has now been released to replace the old version.

"I'm very grateful to AAJ for giving me the chance to make my music available to the American and international public once again. Discovering them was another 'happy accident' that occurs in life when you keep your eyes open. A friend of mine forwarded me an article by Kenny Drew Jr. which really struck a chord with me. I noticed AAJ somewhere in the text, did a search and found this wonderful website...based in Philly no less! Feels like coming home again! These CD releases are first phase of my intention to extend my offerings to the rest of the world."

Awards

1988 US Dept. of Commerce - Bureau of the Census Black History Month Celebration Jazz Program

Gear

Roland RD 800 Korg M3 Korg X5 Roland XV5050 Safe Sound P-1 Korg Kronos 2 UBK Fatso Buzz Audio SOC 1.1 Yamaha AW2400 Shure SN7B HendyAmps Michelangelo Drawmer 1978 Retro Sta Level