Walter Beasley
Walter Beasley | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Walter Beasley |
| Born | May 24, 1961 |
| Origin | El Centro, California, United States |
| Genres | Smooth Jazz |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Saxophone |
| Labels | Shanachie Records Warner Bros. Records Mercury Records Headsup/Affable Records |
| Website | official site |
Walter Beasley is an American saxophonist, a professor of music at the Berklee College of Music, and founder of Affable Publishing and Affable Records.
Biography
Beasley grew up in El Centro, California.[1] By the age of 13 he was singing in Spanish in a band called Los Elegantes, and he played in various bands and performed at clubs throughout middle and high school.[2]
Beasley graduated from Berklee in 1984,[3] and a year later took a short-term teaching position at the same school, which became a permanent career.[1] He is now professor at the school.[4]
In 1987, he released his first, self-titled, album,[3] and since 1998 has been one of the top ten best-selling African American saxophonists in the world.[4] Having grown up as a fan of R&B and funk and trained in classical and jazz saxophone,[5] his own style falls between contemporary R&B and contemporary jazz,[6] a blend which has been called "smooth jazz".[3]
He is not only an alto and soprano saxophonist and a singer,[7] but also a composer and producer.[5] He is the founder and CEO of Affable Publishing, and the owner of Affable Records.[3]
Discography
| Album | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Walter Beasley | 1987[3] | Polydor |
| Just Kickin' It | 1989 | Mercury |
| Intimacy | 1992 | Mercury |
| Private Time | 1995[5] | Mercury |
| Walter Beasley Live and More | 1996 | Affable Records |
| Tonight We Love | 1997 | Shanachie |
| For Your Pleasure | 1998 | Shanachie |
| Won't You Let Me Love You | 2000 | Shanachie |
| Rendezvous | 2002 | Shanachie |
| Go With The Flow | 2003 | N-Coded Music |
| For Her | 2005[2] | Heads Up |
| Ready for Love | 2007[3] | Heads Up |
| Sax Meditations | 2008 | Affable Records |
| Free Your Mind | 2009[8] | Heads Up |
| Backatcha | 2010 | Shanachie Records[9] |
DVDs
Educational
- Sound Production for the Saxophone (Affable Publishing, 2003)
- Hip-Hop Improvisation (Affable Publishing, 2003)
- Circular Breathing with Walter Beasley
- 14 Steps to Maximizing Your Performance (for Saxophonists)
- Walter Beasley's Performance Workshop
Live
- Live at Scullers (Affable Records, 2003)[10]
Awards and accolades
- 2001 Boston Music Awards, Outstanding Jazz Artist
- 2001 Berklee College of Music Trustee Award for advancing the mission and values of the college
- 2001 South Middlesex Men's Club Leadership Award for community service and support of youth development in music.
- 2001 SESAC National Performing Activity Award for the song "Comin' at Cha"
- 2002 SESAC National Performing Activity Award for the song "Rendezvous"
- 2003 Boston Music Awards, Jazz Album of the Year (Go With the Flow)[11]
References
- ^ a b Beasley, Walter (2007-12-20). "Walter Beasley's Official Site: Professional Profile". Retrieved 2009-02-23.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b Lebovitz, Susan Chaityn (2006-01-22). "Beasley on the sax". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b c d e f Cox, Kevin (2007-03-15). "Boston-based saxophonist helps keep jazz alive". The Boston-Bay State Banner. Vol. 42, no. 31. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) [dead link] - ^ a b "Faculty Biography: Walter Beasley". Berklee. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b c Rowland, Hobart (1996-05-23). "Saxy Stuff". Houston Press. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Buckley, Michael (2009-02-05). "Music Box: Big Head Todd brings heartfelt rock to D.C." HometownAnnapolis.com. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Lowenthal, Kevin (2005-08-12). "Onstage, his smoothness turns funky and soulful". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Joyce, Mike (2009-02-06). "WALTER BEASLEY "Free Your Mind" Heads Up". The Washington Post. pp. WE07. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Backatcha! - Walter Beasley | AllMusic
- ^ http://walterbeasley.com/index.php?page=bio&display=40
- ^ http://walterbeasley.com/index.php?page=bio&display=39