JD Walter with his trio Jim Ridl, Boris Kozlov and Ari Hoenig   "HE IS AN ORIGINAL IN AN ART OVERPOPULATED WITH COPYCATS." -- DON HECKMAN, LA TIMES JD Walter is a Jazz singer’s singer -- a purist and an innovator. Although his style has been compared to many vocal titans, it is in the same breath, uniquely his own, and he has become a singular phenomenon on the music scene. Respected and lauded by the great musicians of the contemporary circuit, JD has shared the stage with many legendary artists including: saxophonist Dave Liebman, singer/songwriter Bob Dorough, drummer Billy Hart, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, singer Mark Murphy, and trumpeter Randy Brecker to name just a few. He attended the University of North Texas via a vocal jazz scholarship and became a featured soloist on university recordings. After receiving various awards from the International Association of Jazz Educators, he left the United States to live in Amsterdam, Holland to study with acclaimed recording artist Deborah Brown. JD has recorded five CD's. "Sirens in the C-House" (Encounter/ Dreambox Media Records 2000) brought him much critical acclaim. His second CD, the innovative and experimental "Clear Day" (Doubletime Records2001), is a collaboration with master musician Dave Liebman. Others include: "Dedicated to You" with the Steve Rudolph trio (PACT Records 2004), "2Bass, a Face and a Little Skin" (Encounter/Dreambox Media Records 2006) and a self-released, "Live in Portugal" (JWal Records September, 2008). His first four recordings made it to the "Top 25 Jazz Releases" list of internationally syndicated jazz DJ Bob Parlocha. JD has appeared on many international radio and television broadcast and boasts a listening audience from the shores of America to Europe, Russia, the Far East the Middle East, and Central America.  He has been a featured artist at countless American and International jazz festivals and clubs, in over 100 cities. A regular on the music scene in New York having headlined at such venues as Lincoln Center, The Jazz Standard, The Jazz Gallery, Joe's Pub, The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Sweet Rhythm, Smoke , he can be seen frequently at the famed 55 Bar. A vocal coach for many emerging artists, JD is in demand as a clinician at schools and universities.  Formerly on the faculty of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA., JD currently resides in New York City, teaching at The Aaron Copeland School of Music and The New School. on drums- Ari Hoenig: Ari has played extensively with a variety of groups, including Jean Michel Pilc Trio, Kenny Werner Trio, Chris Potter Underground, Kurt Rosenwinkel Group, Joshua Redman Elastic band, Jazz Mandolin Project and bands led by Wayne Krantz, Mike Stern, Richard Bona, Pat Martino, Dave Leibman, and Bojan Z. He has also shared the stage with such artists as Herbie Hancock, Ivan Linz, Wynton Marsalis, Toots Theilmans, Dave Holland, Joe Lovano, Pat Metheny, and Gerry Mulligan.  on bass- Boris Kozlov: Award winning bassist and composer, current director of the Mingus Dynasty ...Boris Kozlov has won a 2011 Grammy for Live at Jazz Standard - The Mingus Big Band, and is just returning from a tour in Russia.  For more info http://www.borisbass.com/live/ on piano - Jim Ridl: Jim’s tenure with jazz guitar legend Pat Martino received many critically acclaimed reviews of performances around the world and produced 3 outstanding recordings Interchange, Night Wings and The Maker. Jim’s inventive arrangement of the Sonny Rollins' classic Oleo can be heard on the Grammy-nominated release Pat Martino Live at Yoshi’s with Joey DeFrancesco and Billy Hart. Jim’s composition Sun On My Hands can be heard on Martino’s Grammy-nominated release Think Tank in duet with Gonzalo Rubalcaba.  Jim is a member of the Dave Liebman Big Band, whose recording Beyond the Line is on the Omnitone label. (Jim also can be heard on vocalist JD Walter's collaboration with Liebman, Clear Day on Doubletime.) Jim has also performed and recorded extensively with baritone saxophonist, Denis DiBlasio. They have recorded 6 CDs together and have performed most major jazz festivals and venues in the region. All tickets include an elegant fruit, cheese and dessert buffet and soft drinks. Anyone purchasing a student ticket will be asked to show a valid student ID at the door. Tickets link:  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/163630