Cedar Walton

Cedar Walton was born in Dallas, Texas on January 17, 1934. His mother Ruth, an aspiring concert pianist, gave him his first piano lessons and introduced him to jazz performances around the city. Walton absorbed influences from Nat King Cole, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, and Art Tatum. He briefly attended Dillard University in New Orleans before enrolling at the University of Denver as a composition major. In 1955 he left Denver to pursue opportunities in New York City. Army service in Germany from 1956 to 1958 interrupted his early career momentum. After discharge, Walton recorded his debut with Kenny Dorham on This Is the Moment! (1958) and joined the Jazztet led by Benny Golson and Art Farmer from 1958 to 1961.

Walton joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in early 1961 on the same day trumpeter Freddie Hubbard arrived. The sextet included saxophonist Wayne Shorter, trombonist Curtis Fuller, and bassist Jymie Merritt. Walton recorded Mosaic with the group on October 2, 1961 for Blue Note Records. He contributed the title composition, a piece that had not succeeded with the Jazztet but flourished under Blakey’s direction. During his three years with the Messengers from 1961 to 1964, Walton served as pianist and arranger. He composed originals including “Ugetsu,” “Mosaic,” and “Shaky Jake” that blended blues feeling with bebop sophistication. Blakey’s mentorship transformed Walton into an internationally recognized jazz musician.

Walton left the Messengers in 1964 and became part of Prestige Records’ house rhythm section through the late 1960s. He recorded dozens of albums as a sideman with leaders including Sonny Criss, Pat Martino, Eric Kloss, and Charles McPherson. In 1966 he began collaborating with trumpeter Lee Morgan and accompanied vocalist Abbey Lincoln. His debut as a leader, Cedar! (1967, Prestige), featured drummer Billy Higgins in a partnership that would span three decades. Walton co-founded Eastern Rebellion in 1974 with bassist Sam Jones, drummer Higgins, and saxophonist Clifford Jordan. The collective recorded seven albums through 1994 with rotating guest soloists including George Coleman and Curtis Fuller. His compositions became standards: “Bolivia,” “Holy Land,” “Mode for Joe,” and “Ugetsu/Fantasy in D” remain central to the jazz repertoire.

Walton maintained a prolific schedule through the 1980s and 1990s, collaborating regularly with Higgins and musicians including Ron Carter, Bobby Hutcherson, Harold Land, and Buster Williams. He arranged and recorded for vocalist Etta James from the mid-1990s onward. His work with James contributed to her 1994 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album on Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday (RCA Victor). The National Endowment for the Arts honored Walton as a Jazz Master in 2010, recognizing his five decades as both an accompanist and composer. He died in Brooklyn on August 19, 2013 at age 79.