2bass a Face and a Little Skin

Compared to jazz greats Betty Carter, Nat Cole, Nina Simone, and Milton Nascimento, vocalist and scat sensation J.D. Walter has become a singular phenomenon on the music scene. Respected and lauded by the great musicians of the contemporary circuit, J.D. has shared the stage with many legendary artists including: saxophonist Dave Liebman, singer/songwriter Bob Dorough, drummer Billy Hart, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, saxophonist Bill Evans, bassist John Benitez, singer Mark Murphy, drummer Greg Hutchinson, drummer Ari Hoenig, drummer Bill Goodwin, trumpeter Randy Brecker, saxophonist Tim Warfield, pianist Jim Ridl, trumpeter John Swana, bassist Taurus Mateen, pianist Orrin Evans, trumpeter Randy Brecker, singer Miles Griffith, and Poet Sonia Sanchez. J.D. is grateful for his childhood introduction to the world of music. A product of his familial church boychoir, J.D. went on to sing with the renowned "American Boychoir". He attended the University of North Texas via a vocal jazz scholarship and became a featured soloist on university recordings. After receiving various awards from the International Association of Jazz Educators, he left the United States to live in Amsterdam, Holland to study with acclaimed recording artist Deborah Brown. J.D. has currently recorded 4 CD's. "Sirens in the C-House" (Encounter/Dreambox media Records 2000) brought him much critical acclaim. His second cd, the innovative and experimental "Clear Day" (Doubletime Records2001) is a collaboration with master musician Dave Liebman. Two recent releases "Dedicated to You" with the Steve Rudolph trio (PACT records 2004), and "2Bass, a Face and a little skin" (to be released) are starting to garner rave reviews. His first two recordings made it to the "Top 25 Jazz Release" list of internationally syndicated jazz DJ Bob Parlocha. Moreover, both cds helped expand J.D.'s listening audience from the shores of America to Europe, Russia, and the Far East. JD is also a featured member of pianist Orrin Evans’/Luvpk band, on Imani Records (Feb 2004 release). JD has appeared on many international radio and television broadcast stations including: NBC television; National Finland Radio; and Radio Extreme, Helsinki. He has appeared on live Russian television and radio broadcasts as well as having served as guest host on various American radio stations. J.D. has been a featured artist at countless American jazz festivals and clubs, performed at numerous festivals in Europe and the Middle East, and toured Russia 10 times, performing in over 80 cities. A vocal coach for many emerging artists, J.D. is in demand as a clinician at schools and universities. He has performed numerous clinics for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, The Music Educators National Conference, and has taught at the prestigious Sibelius/Kuopio Conservatory in Finland, The University of North Texas, The Moscow Music Consort, and the Kazan Music Conservatory in Russia. J.D. was the vocal coach for MCA/Motive recording artists "The Jazzy Fatnastees", jazz singer Roseanna Vitro as well as “American Idol” runner up, Justin Guarinni. He was also formerly on the faculty of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. JD Currently resides in New York City, and can be heard at many major jazz clubs and events.