Walt Resume - Walter Szymanski
Walt Resume - Walter Szymanski
Walt Resume - Walter Szymanski
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
WA LT S Z Y M A N S K I<br />
P R O F I L E<br />
Began his musical journey from a small home on the east side of Detroit that was<br />
constantly resonating with the sound of music. Listening to his mother play and sing the<br />
Broadway standards on the family piano and hearing the records of Nat Cole, Frank<br />
Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie and Al Hirt as well as the constant refrains of the ever present<br />
Motown sound presented him a tremendous musical foundation upon which to build.<br />
The age of seven found <strong>Walt</strong> as a soprano soloist in the 120 voice, all male choir of St.<br />
Raymond in the Archdiocese of Detroit. He made his first professional appearance at<br />
that time, singing as well as soloing in front of an audience of 3000 at Ford Auditorium.<br />
As the choir began to performed more in orchestral situations, <strong>Walt</strong> was able to hear<br />
the beautiful sonority of the trumpet as it soared above the masses.<br />
His love quickly changed from vocalizing to playing the trumpet and upon entering high<br />
school he quickly captured first chair in wind ensemble and orchestra as well as playing<br />
lead trumpet in the jazz big band and school pit orchestra. In his senior year of high<br />
school, <strong>Walt</strong> was presented the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia award for the "Best Jazz Trumpet"<br />
in the State of Michigan.<br />
After a brief flirtation with medical studies, and a year of classical trumpet studies at the<br />
University of Michigan, <strong>Walt</strong> transferred to Oakland University in Rochester, Mi., where<br />
an emerging Jazz Studies Program under the direction of Marvin "Doc" Holladay seemed<br />
to be the direction he wanted to pursue. The jazz program, which drew it's faculty from<br />
the great jazz musicians staffing Motown records, included trumpet artists Marcus<br />
Belgrave and Herbie Williams, saxophonists Sam Sanders and Donald Washington,<br />
bassists Ed Pickens and Ali Jackson, pianists Harold McKinney and Johnny Allen and<br />
drummers Jimmy Allen and "Pistol" Allen.<br />
At O.U., <strong>Walt</strong> received first hand experience performing with Jazz greats Clark Terry,<br />
Thad Jones, Frank Foster, "Dangerous" Dan Turner, Phil Woods, Joe Farrell and John<br />
Clark. It was also during this period that he began to record and tour with many local<br />
Detroit acts including Johnny Taylor, the Four Tops, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, the<br />
Dramatics, Wild Cherry and the Brides of Funkenstein. He also co-led the jazz quintet,<br />
IMPACT, which hosted a legendary Detroit Sunday afternoon jam session and worked<br />
extensively throughout the mid- west region.<br />
From 1979 through 1982, <strong>Walt</strong> served as staff arranger, trumpet soloist and vocalist at<br />
the Grand Hotel, on Mackinac Island, MI., It was there that he made his first contact with<br />
legendary jazz drummer great, J.C. Heard., who was so inspired by <strong>Walt</strong>'s arranging ability<br />
walt@waltszymanski.com
WA LT S Z Y M A N S K I<br />
that he hand picked him as music director for his newly formed Duke Ellington<br />
Repertory Orchestra, the J.C. Heard Orchestra. The orchestra quickly grew to 13 pieces<br />
for which <strong>Walt</strong> wrote all of the arrangements. His apprenticeship with J.C. found him<br />
sharing the stage with one of his greatest idols, Dizzy Gillespie. In addition to Diz, <strong>Walt</strong><br />
performed in small combo situations with Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Milt Hinton,<br />
George Shearing, Buddy Tate, Nat Pierce, Buddy DeFranco, Slim Galliard and Joe Bushkin.<br />
<strong>Walt</strong>, also prolific as a composer (formal studies with Stanley Hollingsworth), served as<br />
composer in residence for the Detroit Dance Collective, the Acoustic Arts Ensemble<br />
and the Detroit Concert Choir. Additionally, <strong>Walt</strong> has served as Instructor of Jazz<br />
Trumpet, Arranging and Composition Studies at Oakland University (Rochester, MI)<br />
1985-92, as well as the Center for Creative Studies (Detroit, MI) 1988-90.<br />
His numerous artistic awards include 1972 Best Trumpet (State of Michigan Phi Mu<br />
Alpha), 1976-77 Arranger and Soloist awards (NAJE, IAJE), 1989-92 Best Trumpet and<br />
Best Composer awards (Metro-Times Annual Music Awards), and 1993 Jazz Hall of Fame<br />
(Metro-Times Annual Music Awards).<br />
<strong>Walt</strong>’s true love of straight ahead Jazz inspired him to form and co-lead the hard bop<br />
group, the Motor City Jazz Quintet in 1982, The group featured the talents of paul Keller<br />
(bass), Scott petersen (sax), Phil Kelly (pno) and Jon Knust (dms). The MCJQ performed<br />
at numerous clubs and concert venues, and also was a perennial favorite at the Detroit /<br />
Montreux Jazz Festival. For 10 years, from 1982 to 1992, the quintet performed original<br />
compositions and arrangements, always to packed houses and rave reviews.<br />
After the untimely death of J.C. in 1988, <strong>Walt</strong> knew that he would have to move on if he<br />
was to maintain the energy level established through his association with Mr. Heard. This<br />
"moving on" meant New York City, the "Big Apple". Establishing residency in New York in<br />
1993, <strong>Walt</strong> quickly established musical affiliations with Barry Altschul, Kenny Drew Jr.,<br />
Kirk Lightsey, Cecil McBee, Eddie Hendersen, David Scnitter, and Jimmy Madison.<br />
His first New York jazz group, Emergence; Gene Calderrazo (dms), Tino Derado (pno)<br />
and Ted Trimble (bass), featured new compositions inspired by <strong>Walt</strong>'s move to NYC.<br />
Soon was performing as an instrumentalist / soloist with the Ray Santos Caribbean Afro<br />
Music Experience, the Mingus Big Band, Wayne Andre, Nancy Banks Orchestra and the<br />
Jazz Composers Orchestra.<br />
A few of <strong>Walt</strong>’s current musical activities include principal trumpet for the Billy<br />
Strayhorn Project, the Cab Calloway Orchestra, co-leader of the Jambalya Brass Band<br />
and musical director of George Gee's Make Believe Ballroom Orchestra and Jump Jivin'<br />
Wailers.<br />
Page 2<br />
walt@waltszymanski.com
WA LT S Z Y M A N S K I<br />
In 2004 <strong>Walt</strong> co-produced a CD with legendary arranger/composer Frank Foster<br />
entitled "Settin' the Pace" featuring the George Gee Orchestra.<br />
Also a lover and performer of classical music, <strong>Walt</strong> served as principal trumpet with the<br />
Metropolitan Brass Quintet and the Gotham Brass Quintet. He additionally has appeared<br />
with the Harlem Festival Orchestra and the Greater Allen Cathedral of New York<br />
Orchestra.<br />
In 2001, <strong>Walt</strong> and two fellow musicians, Alex Harding (bari sax) and Gary Wittner<br />
(guitar) formed Trio WAG and were selected to present the music of Louis Armstrong as<br />
Jazz Ambassadors for the U.S. State Department and Kennedy Center. As Jazz<br />
Ambassadors, the trio found themselves serving as the first cultural exchange group in<br />
the Balkans since the onset on civil war in the region. The trio performed numerous<br />
concerts and workshop/clinics throughout Serbia, Montenegro and Slovenia. In 2003 they<br />
embarked on a second tour taking them to Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Japan.<br />
Two of <strong>Walt</strong>'s main current and exciting projects find him working as musical director /<br />
soloist / composer with pianist and songstress Ms. Jo Thompson and the Detroit Jazz<br />
Jewels. Originally formed as a quartet, they have appeared at all of the major cabaret /<br />
jazz venues in NYC, including the Tavern on the Green, the Supper Club, the Oak Room,<br />
Michael's Pub and Eighty Eights. In 1994 they were recipients of the Backstage Award for<br />
Best Instrumental/Vocal Group as well as the MAC award.<br />
In 2000, <strong>Walt</strong> and Jo decided to expand the sound to include the 13 member J.C. Heard<br />
Orchestra and have subsequently recorded two albums, "Slender, Tender and Tall" and<br />
"Forever Fabulous". They have performed to packed houses and rave reviews at the<br />
world famous Blue Note, Iridium and Birdland jazz clubs as well as the Lincoln Center<br />
and extensively throughout Japan.<br />
Finally, formed in 2008, Organ Nation is a freewheeling, high energy collective featuring<br />
the additional talents of Alex Harding (bari sax), D.D. Jackson (organ) and Brandon Lewis<br />
(dms). This group is truly ready to launch upon the scene!<br />
EXPERIENCE<br />
Organ Nation - Soloist/Composer / 2008 —<br />
Grupo Greg Ribot - Soloist / 2006 —<br />
U.S. Dept of State & the Kennedy Center Jazz Ambassador - Trio WAG / 2001 —<br />
Billy Strayhorn - Project Principal Trumpet / 2002 —<br />
Gotham Brass Quintet - Principal Trumpet / 2001 —<br />
Jambalya Brass Band - Lead Trumpet / 1999 —<br />
Page 3<br />
walt@waltszymanski.com
WA LT S Z Y M A N S K I<br />
George Gee & the Jump Jive and Wailers - Music Director/Arranger/Soloist / 1998 —<br />
Ms Jo Thompson & the J.C. Heard Orchestra - MD/Conductor/Composer / 1997 —<br />
Metropolitan Brass Quintet - Principal Trumpet / 1995 — 2000<br />
Jimmy Madison & Friends - Music Director/Composer/Soloist / 1995 — 1999<br />
George Gee & his Make Believe Ballroom Orchestra - Music Director/Soloist / 1995 —<br />
Ray Santo's Caribbean Afro Music Experience - Featured Soloist / 1993 —<br />
Ms Jo Thompson Quartet - Music Director/Soloist / 1993 —<br />
Emergence (Jazz Quartet) - Soloist/Composer / 1993 — 1995<br />
Jimmy Stefanson Latin Jazz Combine - Soloist/Instrumentalist / 1990 — 1992<br />
Detroit Concert Choir - Composer in Residence 1988 — 1992<br />
Acoustic Arts Ensemble - Composer in Residence/Soloist / 1988 — 1992<br />
Detroit Dance Collective - Composer in Residence / 1984 — 1985<br />
The Motor City Jazz Quintet - Music Director/Co-Leader / 1983 —<br />
Detroit Symphony Orchestra Pops - Lead Trumpet / 1983 — 1984<br />
J.C. Heard Orchestra - Music Director/Composer/Arranger/Soloist / 1982 —<br />
The Duke Ellington Orchestra - Instrumentalist / 1979 — 1979<br />
The Grand Hotel Orchestra - Soloist/Arranger/Composer / 1979 — 1982<br />
Paradise Jazz Orchestra - Lead Trumpet/Soloist / 1976 — 1984<br />
IMPACT (Jazz Quintet) - Co Leader/Musical Director/Composer / 1974 — 1982<br />
Professional Associations:<br />
Pistol Allen, Barry Altschul, Ralph Armstrong, Burt Bacharach, Johnnie Bassett, Eddie<br />
Bert, Don Braden, Cecil Bridgewater, Ray Brown, Roy Brooks, Lance Bryant, Joey<br />
Calderazzo, Gene Calderazzo, Steve Campos, James Carter, Regina Carter, Doc<br />
Cheatham, Mike Clark, Rosemary Clooney, Carla Cook, Stanley Cowell, Kenny Cox,<br />
Buddy DeFranco, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Kenny Drew Jr, Bruce Dunlop, Willard<br />
Dyson, Jon Faddis, Joe Fiedler, Frank Foster, Don Friedman, Kenny Garret, John Dizzy<br />
Gillespie, Mark Gross, Alex Harding, Eddie Hendesen, Dawn Hampton, Slide Hampton,<br />
Alex Harding, Milt Hinton, Marv "Doc" Holladay, Chip Jackson, Duffy Jackson, Howard<br />
Johnson, Kurt Joseph, Paul Keller, Brad Leali, Mark Levine, Jed Levy, Victor Lewis, Kirk<br />
Lightsey, Jimmy Madison, Cecil McBee, the Mingus Big Band, Sherman Mitchell, Joe<br />
Morello, Eddie Palmieri, Nat Pierce, Charlie Persip, Oscar Peterson, Valery Ponomarov,<br />
Tito Puente, Vivian Reed, David Schnitter, Gary Schunk, Danny Spencer, Bob Summers,<br />
Buddy Tate, Charles Tolliver, <strong>Walt</strong>er White, Gary Wittner, Mike Wolff, John Worley, Earl<br />
VanDyke, Earl Van Riper, Mike Vax, Pete Yellin, Wild Cherry, Aretha Franklin, The Four<br />
Tops, Eddie Kendricks, the O'Jays, Martha Reeves, David Ruffin, Temptations, Johnnie<br />
Taylor, the Brides of Funkenstein, BMI, Local 802 AFM, Harry Fox.<br />
Selected Discography:<br />
Page 4<br />
walt@waltszymanski.com
WA LT S Z Y M A N S K I<br />
Where The Wild Things Are - Warner Brothers - Movie Soundtrack / 2009<br />
Lengua Sin Palabras - Greg Ribot Music - Greg Ribot/ 2009<br />
If Dreams Come True - GJazz Records - George Gee & the Jump Jivin’ Wailers / 2007<br />
Fun At The Factory - Duct Tape Music - Trio WAG / 2006<br />
Concrete Jungles - Soundbite Records - Greg Utech / 2006<br />
Spank - Soundbite Records - Greg Utech / 2005<br />
Settin' The Pace - GJazz Records - Frank Foster / <strong>Walt</strong> <strong>Szymanski</strong> / George Gee / 2004<br />
Forever Fabulous - Jazz Jewels Records - Jo Thompson/<strong>Walt</strong> <strong>Szymanski</strong> / 2004<br />
Slender, Tender & Tall - Panda Digital - Jo Thompson/<strong>Walt</strong> <strong>Szymanski</strong> / 2000<br />
Swingin' Away - Swing 46 - George Gee & MBBO / 1999<br />
Buddha Boogie - Swing 46 - George Gee & the Jump Jivin’ Wailers / 1999<br />
Swingin' Live - Swing 46 - George Gee & MBBO / 1998<br />
90º With 100% Humidity - Blue Chip - Jimmy Madison & Friends / 1996<br />
Take It or Leave It - Stella - Rick DellaRatta / 1995<br />
All In A Dreams Work - Schoolkids'- Kathy Kosins / 1995<br />
Johnnie Bassett & Blues Insurgents - No Cover - Johnnie Bassett / 1995<br />
Jazz Is - HT - Harvey Thompson / 1994<br />
A Whole Lot Of Thunder - Mijawa - Shawn “Thunder” Wallace / 1991<br />
Open The Doors — Eastlawn — Sun Sounds Orchestra / 1990<br />
Boys Out Late - Audio Visions - The Suspects / 1989<br />
Some Of This / Some Of That - Hiroko - J.C. Heard Orchestra / 1988<br />
Blues On The Road - Corona - Bill Heid / 1987<br />
Dedicacion - Corridor - Lyman Woodard / 1985<br />
Bigger - Omni Arts - Kamau Kenyatta / 1984<br />
Noter Dame H.S. (Harper Woods, MI)<br />
Suma Cum Laude / 1969 — 1972<br />
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)<br />
Music Studies / 1972 — 1973<br />
E D U C AT I O N<br />
Oakland University (Rochester, MI)<br />
Bachelor of Music with Special Departmental Honors / 1974 — 1987<br />
Trumpet Studies:<br />
Victor Paz / New York, NY / 1994<br />
James Tamburini / Windsor, ONT / 1982 — 84<br />
Page 5<br />
walt@waltszymanski.com
WA LT S Z Y M A N S K I<br />
Vince Penzarella / New York, NY / 1978<br />
Marcus Belgrave / Detroit, MI / 1976 — 88<br />
Herbie Williams / Detroit, MI / 1974 — 90<br />
Bill Knevit / Detroit, MI / 1973 — 75<br />
Clifford Lillya / Ann Arbor, MI / 1972 — 73<br />
Larry Egan / Detroit, MI / 1968 — 72<br />
Composition Studies:<br />
Stanley Hollingsworth / Detroit, MI / 1984 — 88<br />
Johnny Allen / Detroit, MI /1978 — 79<br />
Ed Nucilli / Detroit, MI / 1976 — 84<br />
Herbie Williams / Detroit, MI / 1974 — 90<br />
Teaching Experience:<br />
The New School (NYC, NY) - Assistant Director/Jazz Orchestra / 2004 — 2005<br />
Turtle Bay Music Conservatory (NYC, NY) - Instructor of Trumpet / 1998 — 2000<br />
Long Island University (Brooklyn, NY) - Special Instructor/Trumpet / 1996 — 1999<br />
Long Island University (Brooklyn, NY) - Ass’t Director/Jazz Orchestra / 1994 — 1998<br />
The University of Toledo (Toledo, OH) - Special Instructor/Jazz Trumpet / 1991 — 1992<br />
Center For Creative Studies (Detroit, MI) - Jazz Theory & Trumpet / 1989 — 1991<br />
Oakland University (Rochester, MI) - Ass’t Professor of Trumpet / 1984 — 1992<br />
Oakland University (Rochester, MI) - Lecturer/Composition/Arranging / 1984 — 1992<br />
AWA R D S<br />
Oakland University Matilda Award - Outstanding Alumni Achievement / 2008<br />
U.S.Department of State / Kennedy Center - Jazz Ambassadors (Trio WAG) / 2003<br />
U.S.Department of State / Kennedy Center - Jazz Ambassadors (Trio WAG) / 2001<br />
Best Instrumental-Vocal Group - the Backstage Awards (Rick DellaRatta) / 1996<br />
Best Instrumental-Vocal Group - the Backstage Awards (Miss Jo Thompson) / 1994<br />
Hall of Fame Inductee - the Metro Times Music Awards (Detroit, MI) / 1993<br />
Best Brass (Trumpet) - the Metro Times Music Awards (Detroit, MI) / 1992<br />
Best Songwriter / Composer - the Metro Times Music Awards (Detroit, MI) / 1992<br />
Best Brass (Trumpet) - the Metro Times Music Awards (Detroit, MI) / 1991<br />
Best Songwriter / Composer - the Metro Times Music Awards (Detroit, MI) / 1990<br />
Best Brass (Trumpet) - the Metro Times Music Awards (Detroit, MI) / 1990<br />
Jazz Finalist - Hennessy Cognac Jazz Search (Detroit, MI) / 1990<br />
Best Songwriter / Composer - the Metro Times Music Awards (Detroit, MI) /1989<br />
Best Trumpet - the Metro Times Music Awards (Detroit, MI) / 1989<br />
Page 6<br />
walt@waltszymanski.com
WA LT S Z Y M A N S K I<br />
Soloist Award - National Association of Jazz Educators / 1977<br />
Composition /Arranging Award - National Association of Jazz Educators / 1977<br />
Soloist Award - National Association of Jazz Educators / 1976<br />
Best Trumpet Award (State of Michigan) - Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Lansing, MI) / 1972<br />
C O N T A C T I N F O<br />
<strong>Walt</strong> <strong>Szymanski</strong><br />
+1.917.805.3959<br />
+1.718.622.4185<br />
walt@waltszymanski.com<br />
www.waltszymanski.com<br />
www.myspace.com/waltszymanskimusic<br />
www.myspace.com/organnation<br />
www.myspace.com/triowag<br />
Page 7<br />
walt@waltszymanski.com
Change language