Artist description When was the last time an artist captivated you? When was the last time an artist commanded your attention? For today's jazz scene that artist is without question Michelle Walker. Michelle has a sound that seems to transcend genres. Her voice causes the listener to pause and take notice. Her sound breathes a sense of unexpected familiarity to the listener. Not knowing what pleasures she will bring next to the microphone leaves you with anticipation. Her deep and stirring voice has won the acclaim of a broad audience in the local music scene in the Washington, DC area. She can be seen regularly at some of DC’s local jazz venues and occassionally in New York, Philadelphia and other East Coast venues.

Music Style Jazz Vocals

Musical Influences Sarah Vaughn, leo Lane, Julie London

Similar Artists Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, Holly Cole, Diane Reeves

Artist History After spending a few years on the jazz vocal circuit in London, England in the early 1990's, Michelle returned to the States to complete her college education. It was at the University of Maryland that she met and studied with Ronnie Wells and Ron Elliston in the Jazz Department as a music minor. They introduced her to the Washington, DC Jazz scene. Michelle went on to study with some of Washington's legends including dynamic vocalist Pam Bricker and pianist Wayne Wilentz. She played on the DC circuit for 2 years until in the spring of 2001 she launched her own jazz group under her own name. Within a few weeks she was working fulltime as a singer and audiences were constantly asking if she had tapes or CD's they could purchase. "I think it's unusual for a new unsigned artist to produce and distribute a product within only a few months of getting started. But, after discussing it with Wayne we decided that the demand was great enough and we went to work in the summer of 2001." By December 2001 at her debut CD release party at the famed jazz club Blues Alley, she had created such a demand that she sold out her shows. Blues Alley management said that it was almost unheard of that a local artist sells out their dates. She has sold more copies of her CD nationally and internationally than she expected. "These sales are true indicators that I've done the right thing." This vocalist has so much promise that she is often compared to the great vocalist of the past. Yet, more than that critics are saying she is fast becoming the newest yardstick by which vocalist should be compared. “There hasn’t been a day since I was 5 years old that I haven’t sung a note. My family got use to me answering their questions with a line from famous standards that my dad always played on the record player.” It is very clear in her tone and delivery of song that Michelle carries within her the lessons learned long ago. This is why her sound is so warm and familiar.

Group Members The Michelle Walker Quartet: Michelle Walker-Vocals Dave Cosby-Guitar Marc Blackwood-Bass Matt Tebo-Drums

Instruments Vocals

Albums Slow Down, released December 4, 2001

Press Reviews Read some of Michelle's recent reviews: http://www.indie-music.com/article.php?sid=1501 http://www.allaboutjazz.com/reviews/r0402_127.htm http://www.jazzmanonline.net/cj0402.htm

Additional Info http://www.dcjazz.com/michellewalker/biography.htm

Location Washington, DC - USA

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