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music arts
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* walter savage quintet *
| Walter Savage's new offering, "Autumn's Witch" reflects his innovative style and approach to jazz composition. All the tunes on the CD are Walter's creations. According to Haybert Houston, co-publisher of "Jazz Now Interactive", "I believe some, if not all, of these tunes will become standards more of Walter Savage's creations." Known mostly as a jazz bassist, Walter has proven himself as singer, pianist and composer as well. He graced his listeners with his unique vocals on his debut CD, "Soothes the Savage Beast". On this CD, "Autumn's Witch", his bass-playing virtuosity is skillful and sensitive. Walter's compositional skills are expertly displayed by top notch musicians who work exceedingly well together. Art Hirahara, jazz pianist...an awesome performer. Al Bent, trombonist, has played with all the greats such as Ray Obiedo and Carmen McRae to name a few. Charlie McCarthy, who plays reeds and flute, has played with Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Henderson... Babatunde Lea, an established musician, is a leading Bay Area percussionist. David Ferrazares, on the soprano saxophone, lends a unique sensitivity to the title track. Walter began his musical career in church as the son of a Baptist minister and as the church pianist. Walter became interested in the bass after seeing and hearing Paul Chambers perform with Miles Davis. He immediately purchased a bass and began to take lessons with Leroy Vinegar, Al McKibbon, and other bassists in the Los Angeles area. Today, he works a full schedule of club, casual and concert performances around the San Francisco Bay Area. It is not unusual to catch him at Enrico's or Jazz-at-Pearl's in North Beach, or Yoshi's in Jack London Square in Oakland. He is considered to be the "bass player's bass player" by jazz station (KCSM) DJ, Jesse "Chuy" Varela. Mr. Varela calls this latest creative project, "...a strong CD!" Prepare for an adventure and let yourself be bewitched by "Autumn's Witch"! |
| The upright bass is often viewed primarily as a supporting instrument, but local jazz musician Walter Savage has won a reputation for bringing it to the spotlight. Whether he's playing a gig at a renowned Bay Area jazz institution like Yoshi's or entertaining the masses at Enrico's in North Beach, Savage lets the bass shine through as a leading force. Savage's love affair with music began early on. "You know my background in music is like a lot of black people in America," Savage says. "My dad was a preacher. I was forced ... to do [music] in the church, you know? I've always been interested in music. I can't remember not singing. Everybody in my family loved to sing." Stationed throughout the Pacific during the 1960s, Savage got turned onto the bass after a musician visiting his military base showed him a few jazz chords. At first, he thought the instrument would be easy to master. Now, over forty years later, Savage says he's still exploring his instrument's possibilities. "It's like the more you learn, the more you know you need to learn," he says. That thirst for knowledge has led Savage to record two albums featuring his own compositions and vocals. While his music writing and singing talents have garnered praise from jazz fans, Savage's chief interest these days is showcasing the bass as a solo instrument -- as Spark witnesses when Savage headlines at Yoshi's Jazz House with drummer Eddie Marshall and pianist Alan Steiger |