Walter Beasley
Walter Beasley (born May 24, 1961 in El Centro , California) is an American jazz saxophonist (alto, soprano), singer, composer and producer. He plays smooth jazz with rhythm & blues and funk influences.
Live and act
Beasley grew up in El Centro, California, and sang in Spanish-speaking bands as a teenager. At first he played the trumpet for a short time, but quickly switched to the saxophone at the age of nine ( Grover Washington was one of his early influences ). He graduated from Berklee College of Music in 1984 and was teaching there soon after. He is now a professor at Berklee.
Since his debut album Walter Beasley (Polydor 1987) he has released his own, well-selling albums at regular intervals, with Mercury, Shanachie ( Rendezvous 2002) and Heads Up. He often accompanies rhythm & blues singers.
He founded the Affable Records label and Affable Publishing.
In 2001 he was named Outstanding Jazz Musician at the Boston Music Awards and his album Go with the Flow was named Best Jazz Album in 2003.
swell
- ↑ Allmusic Guide
Web links
- Homepage
- Website in Berklee
- Discogs
- Walter Beasley factsheet website
- Walter Beasley at Allmusic (English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Beasley, Walter |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American jazz saxophonist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | May 24, 1961 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | El Centro (California) |