Walter Beasley
Encyclopedia
Walter Beasley is an American
saxophonist, a professor of music at the Berklee College of Music
, and founder of Affable Publishing and Affable Records.
Beasley graduated from Berklee in 1984, and a year later took a short-term teaching position at the same school, which became a permanent career. He is now professor at the school.
In 1987, he released his first, self-titled, album, and since 1998 has been one of the top ten best-selling African American saxophonists in the world. Having grown up as a fan of R&B and funk and trained in classical and jazz saxophone, his own style falls between contemporary R&B and contemporary jazz, a blend which has been called "smooth jazz".
He is not only an alto and soprano saxophonist and a singer, but also a composer and producer. He is the founder and CEO of Affable Publishing, and the owner of Affable Records.
|-
| "Backatcha"
| 2010
|
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
saxophonist, a professor of music at the Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
, and founder of Affable Publishing and Affable Records.
Biography
Beasley grew up in El Centro, California. By the age of 13 he was singing in Spanish in a band called Los Elegantes, and he played in various bands and performed at clubs throughout middle and high school.Beasley graduated from Berklee in 1984, and a year later took a short-term teaching position at the same school, which became a permanent career. He is now professor at the school.
In 1987, he released his first, self-titled, album, and since 1998 has been one of the top ten best-selling African American saxophonists in the world. Having grown up as a fan of R&B and funk and trained in classical and jazz saxophone, his own style falls between contemporary R&B and contemporary jazz, a blend which has been called "smooth jazz".
He is not only an alto and soprano saxophonist and a singer, but also a composer and producer. He is the founder and CEO of Affable Publishing, and the owner of Affable Records.
Discography
| Album | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Walter Beasley | 1987 | Polydor |
| Just Kickin' It | 1989 | Mercury |
| Intimacy | 1992 | Mercury |
| Private Time | 1995 | Mercury |
| Walter Beasley Live and More | 1996 | Affable Records |
| Tonight We Love | 1997 | Shanachie |
| For Your Pleasure | 1998 | Shanachie |
| Won't You Let Me Love You | 2000 | Shanachie |
| Rendezvous | 2002 | Shanachie |
| Go With The Flow | 2003 | N-Coded Music |
| For Her | 2005 | Heads Up |
| Ready for Love | 2007 | Heads Up |
| Sax Meditations | 2008 | Affable Records |
| Free Your Mind | 2009 | Heads Up |
|-
| "Backatcha"
| 2010
|
Educational
- Sound Production for the Saxophone (Affable Publishing, 2003)
- Hip-Hop Improvisation (Affable Publishing, 2003)
- Circular Breathing with Walter Beasley
- 14 Steps to Maximizing Your Performance (for Saxophonists)
- Walter Beasley's Performance Workshop
Awards and accolades
- 2001 Boston Music Awards, Outstanding Jazz Artist
- 2001 Berklee College of Music Trustee Award for advancing the mission and values of the college
- 2001 South Middlesex Men's Club Leadership Award for community service and support of youth development in music.
- 2001 SESAC National Performing Activity Award for the song "Comin' at Cha"
- 2002 SESAC National Performing Activity Award for the song "Rendezvous"
- 2003 Boston Music Awards, Jazz Album of the Year (Go With the Flow)