By Donald True Van Deusen
Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, Philadelphia (215-568-3131) will
started the new year with a new sound in avant-garde jazz January 5th with
vocalist J.D. Walter combined with internationally known saxophonist Dave
Liebman.
They were ably supported by Jim Ridl, piano; Ari Hoenig, drums and
bassist Steve Varner who have worked various local clubs. Walter, who has
been compared to Betty Carter and King Cole, was reared in the Philadelphia
area has worked virtually every club in town including Ortlieb;s Jazz Haus,
Zanzibar Blue, Alex's Jazz Underground, et al.
Al McMahon, the club's talent manager, notes Walter will be the first
singer to appear as a leader on the award-winning jazz label Double Time
Records with his new just released CD "Clear Day."
Liebman studied with jazz pioneer Lennie Tristano, worked several years
with Miles Davis and has recorded with Pat Metheny, Eddie Gomez and Dave
Holland. Walter said, "anyone who has been with Miles Davis great band, I
would want to be a part of. " JD (he does not use his first name) has
worked with John Swana, Bob Dorough, Tyrone Brown and Jimmy Bruno among
others.
Walter explains he was reared in a family of musicians, studied classical
music extensively in childhood, but got swept away into jazz in his teen age
years which he . pursued with passionate dedication. He went to the American
Boys Choir School, Princeton, New Jersey, the University of North Texas on a
vocal jazz scholarship and to Amsterdam in The Netherlands and studied with
Deborah Brown. He noted that North Texas was the first school to offer a
jazz degree and that progressive jazz leader Stan Kenton helped found it.
In addition to the title tune, the new CD includes several pieces written
by Walter and Liebman.
