Cedar Walton

Cedar Walton is one of the leading “hard bop” pianists to come of age in the late 1950's and 1960's. In addition to his great lyrical skill at the piano, Walton is well-known as a composer and arranger, and this radio show focuses on his compositions.

Among the prominent work early in his career was his stint in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in the early 1960's, and he contributed the songs Mosaic, Ugetsu [Fantasy in D], Plexus, and others, which have become classics of the Blakey book. Additionally, Walton has penned many compositions that, if not by title, you will find familiar as standard tunes of the enduring modern jazz repertory, such as Bolivia, Firm Roots, Cedar’s Blues, Afreaka, Mode For Joe, and Turquoise. His songs are dynamic and complex but always “meaty” and accessible numbers for soulful jazz improvisation.

This program features both classic and lesser known recordings of Walton’s songs, by Walton’s own groups, from Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, and friends and musical companions such as Joe Henderson, Lee Morgan, Houston Person, Blue Mitchell and Junior Cook.

Born in Dallas, Texas in 1934, Walton was selected for the prestigious National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Award in 2010. He was still active at the age of 79 when I produced this program in July 2013. Unfortunately, after a brief illness, Walton passed away several weeks later on August 19, 2013.

originally broadcast July 7, 2013
re-broadcast September 26, 2021