Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Walker.
Chris, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Houston TX, where I began singing before I could speak. I started in the church as a member of my family’s gospel group, The Walker Brothers. I play the bass upside down like one of my early hero’s Jimi Hendrix. My parents raised us with a strong hand, and once I graduated from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, I was all too happy to high-tail it to New York, with only forty dollars, in pursuit of my dreams of doing my own music. With aspirations of attending the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, I sold my bass amp and bought a one-way ticket to New York; despite being denied due to inability to pay the tuition. Fate, however, would intervene as I was walking the halls and happened to come upon a jam session in need of a bass player. When I took the stage, the school dean just so happened to hear me and offered me a full scholarship on the spot and so begun another chapter in my musical journey.
In my tenor at the school, I was afforded the opportunity to play with such Jazz greats as Ornette Coleman, Art Blakey, Bob James, Jimmy Heath, Cassandra Wilson and countless others. Then I landed a position as the musical director for R&B songstress Regina Belle as well as touring with Ornette Coleman. For the next two years, I juggled between the two tours until forced to have to choose between conflicting schedules; and with my own desire to sing and do music burgeoning, I chose to stay with Ms. Belle, which ultimately led to a successful solo debut project.
My first release “First Time” produced two top five singles; “Giving You All My Love” and “Take Time,” which crossed over to become top 30 on the pop charts. My second release entitled “Sincerely Yours,” included the classic song, “How Do You Heal A Broken Heart,” written by me and Carole Bayer Sager, which has received over 66 million views on YouTube. As a student and lover of jazz music it was an opportunity that came via a former teacher, Gil Goldstein, that would bring to fruition a longtime dream of mine to work, as Musical Director, with seven-time Grammy Award winner Al Jarreau. In the summer of 2019, I released his homage to Jarreau: We’re In This Love Together – Celebrating Al Jarreau, which continues to receive rave reviews from both critics and fans alike. Almost all the musicians on the record and performing in the live shows worked with Jarreau.
I was Co-Executive Producer for Bossa Nova Noites, which produced shows for the USOC, French, German and Japanese Houses during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, featuring Daniel Jobim and Alexandra Jackson.
In 2014 I co-founded, with Ashley Tamar Davis, and serve as President of “DocFest”, a non-profit organization that honors my high school teacher, Robert “DOC” Morgan and raises scholarship funds for Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA/Houston) students attending The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in NY & Berklee College of Music in Boston. I recently took the helm as lead singer with the legendary R&B group Maze, which featured the incomparable Frankie Beverly for decades. Additionally, I was awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement and Volunteer Services Award. I am currently recording, producing, writing, touring and working on a number of different projects.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I moved to NY with $40 and a dream. I lived briefly with a friend, Justin Page, and his father on 103rd and Broadway. After two weeks, I was asked to leave because I couldn’t afford to pay rent. At that point I was already enrolled at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and started working in the Dean’s office, which only paid $3.75 an hour. I was searching for alternative living options and inquired around the school. To my surprise a fellow musician and dear friend, Jay Rodriquez, invited me to stay with his family in New Jersey. They only charged me $75 a week, which was manageable since I landed a weekend gig playing in the village.
I’m currently dealing with one of my most difficult life challenges…the loss of our only child, Christopher Walker II. He was robbed and brutally murdered January 16, 2025, three days after his 30th birthday. Being totally transparent, I’ll probably never fully recover from this tragedy, but I’m confident my faith in God will carry me through.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In addition to being a professional musician, singer, song writer & producer, I serve as President of DocFest (docfestjazz.org). DocFest, Inc. was conceived in 2013 by me and Ashley (Tamar) Davis, both alumni of Houston’s Kinder High School for Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA), to honor the career of Robert “Doc” Morgan, HSPVA Director of Jazz Studies (1976 – 1999) and music department chair (1978 – 1992). Working with DocFest is one of my proudest accomplishments because I’m able to help the next generation of jazz musicians and preserve one of the worlds greatest art forms.
Throughout my extensive career in the music industry, I’m constantly learning and evolving. In addition to being an accomplished musician, I handle contract negotiations, show production, strategic promotional implementation and more.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
One could easily argue that I’m probably the luckiest person in the world. I call it blessings, which I’ve had an over abundance for most of my professional career. I’ve worked with so many amazing people including, Ornette Coleman, Al Jarreau, George Benson, Dave Koz, Regina Belle, Jimmy Heath, Yolanda Adams and many more. Landing a full scholarship to attend The New School for Jazz and Contemporary music was a HUGE blessing that opened so many doors and opportunities. It seems like my steps have definitely been divinely ordered.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chriswalkersmusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswalkerchat
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chriswalkersmusic/
- Twitter: https://x.com/chriswalkerchat
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_fppzKFLOOzrE22-kiY9eA
- Other: https://docfestjazz.org/
Image Credits
David DeHoyas
