An often exciting, thoughtful trumpeter and good arranger,
Jack Walrath has steadily gained attention and exposure through his contributions to outstanding sessions.
Walrath began playing trumpet at nine, and studied at Berklee in the mid- and late '60s while working with other students and backing up R&B vocalists. He moved to the West Coast in 1969, and co-led the bands
Change with
Gary Peacock, and Revival with
Glenn Ferris.
Walrath also toured a year with
Ray Charles.
Walrath relocated to New York in the early 70s, and worked with Latin bands before playing with
Charles Mingus from 1974 to 1979, an association that gave him a certain amount of recognition.
Walrath contributed some arrangements and orchestrations to
Mingus' final recordings. In the 1980s and '90s, he led his own bands, toured Europe with
Dannie Richmond and the British group Spirit Level, worked with
Charlie Persip's Superband and
Richard Abrams, and helped keep the music of
Charles Mingus alive by playing with
Mingus Dynasty.
Jack Walrath has recorded as a leader for Gatemouth, Stash, SteepleChase, Red, Muse, Spotlite, Blue Note, and Mapleshade; he is still improving with age. ~ Ron Wynn