Clockwise: The Music of Cedar Walton Release Countdown Day 15: Ken Walker

When I moved to Denver in the summer of 2007, Ken Walker was quickly identified as "THE GUY" on bass. He has such a big beat! It's no wonder why he gets many calls from national acts that pass through Denver.  He has played with Eddie Harris, Kenny Barron, Eric Alexander, Houston Person, Pharaoh Sanders, Jimmy Heath, Tom Harrell, Freddie Hubbard, Clifford Jordan, James Moody, Barry Harris, Billy Hart, and Benny Golson to name a few! Ken was the house bassist at the legendary El Chapultepec jazz club (still up and running right across from Rockies Stadium). As legend has it, after playing with Ken, the great Benny Golson booked him for a week at the Iridium in NYC then and asked him to play in his band. 

Ken is the leader of the Ken Walker sextet which has been a fixture on the Denver scene for years. This group's first recording is titled Terra Firma. Ken is equally adept as a soloist and in a support role. When writing for this project I heard Ken's solid beat and dancing groove. I know Cedar would have loved to play with Ken!

Clockwise: The Music of Cedar Walton - Available Everywhere February 17.

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