Walter Duda

Artist Information

Walter Duda is a self-taught musician (piano) and vocalist from New England and a writer and publisher member of ASCAP. He has co-founded an independent record label, negotiated a national distribution agreement and achieved significant radio air play of his music worldwide.

He was born in Connecticut, graduated from The University of Detroit with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and also attended Fairfield University and Wayne State University graduate schools. After a year of teaching a foreign language on the high school level, he decided that music is his language of choice.

With his earliest influences in music, he identified with Rock & Roll singers Dion and Bobby Darin. Then he became a fan of the vocal harmony arrangements of Brian Wilson (Beach Boys), The Beatles and The Hollies. While in Detroit, he was influenced by the rhythms and grooves of The Motown Sound. Next, progressive rock groups Yes and King Crimson caught his imagination. Eventually jazz fusion keyboardists Brian Auger and Geoge Duke inspired him to switch from playing guitar to piano. As a songwriter, his influences include Michael Franks, Mose Allison and Bobby Caldwell.

His first musical composition placed him as a finalist in a scholarship contest sponsored by The Berklee College of Music, Boston. George Butler of CBS Records heard him at an audition in New York City and at a solo performance at Catch A Rising Star and arranged for him to record a voice and piano demo at the legendary A&R Recording in Manhattan. He has since recorded his original music with top New York City session players including Will Lee (David Letterman tv show), Jimmy Madison, Joel Rosenblatt (Spyro Gyra), Chris Parker (Stuff), John Tropea and Dave Weckl and has performed in many NYC music venues.

”Calm, cool and collected sets the flavor for DayLight Again. Duda caresses the piano and synthesizer with smooth grooves like Valerie, No Matter What and Deep Into The Night. He dabbles with some vocal songs and perky tunes like Manhattan Island. Daylight Again presents alternate sides of Duda's musical background and influences. Even though I prefer the smooth tracks previously mentioned, DayLight Again explores the territory of smooth jazz with skillful consciousness and versatility. Stations are picking up on this talent expressed through the sounds of this project and recognizing a dawning star in fastly approaching profound recognition.” Reviewed by Fred Scott, ContemporaryJazz.com