Lex Valk
Faces of the Bass
www.lexvalk.com
Lex Valk is one of Houston, Texas' finest freelance musicians. In a review of "Faces of the Bass," Bassist Valk was called "a consummate working musician." The review continued to say Faces was "Most enjoyable listening'" and complimented bassist Valk's solo work, calling it "poignant and thoughtful," and ...inventive..." and calling one song "...simply a lovely piece," and another "a stunning Bossa Nova...
"Faces of the Bass" has also received nationwide acceptance. In a recent radio airplay campaign, "Faces" went chartbound, receiving airplay on 75 radio stations in the U.S. and Canada. Comments from radio airplay include:
"Lex Valk is a sensitive intelligent cat with some great fingers. Beautiful bass playing." KWVA Eugene, Oregon.
"Lex Valk was a no-brainer on KABF. Phones were off the hook and the rest is history. We look forward to more music from Lex." KABF Little Rock, Arkansas
"..a breath of fresh brisk air...It was love at first listen. Keep up the fantastic work." Listener, KMHD, Portland.
"Faces of the Bass" is really four albums in one,including fusion (Mingus,Metheny, Ron Carter), Latin (Corea, Bonfa and Jobim), Kenny Burrell-style jazz guitar trio (Gee, Baby,Ain't I Good to You, I'll Remember April) classical/jazz crossover (Eccles and My Foolish Heart, w/ seven strings, harp and sax), and modern jazz piano trio.
It has a full range of listening moods, from blues-rock
(Good Bye Pork Pie Hat) to mellow ballads(I Fall In Love Too Easily)and uptempo jazz (I'll Remember April), as well as light rock(117 Special),soft latin vocals(Manha de Carnaval), and classical/orchestral(Eccles Sonata and My Foolish Heart).
"Bassist Lex Valk's studies are at the core of the musical versatility displayed on "Faces." He has studied with classical bassists Gary Karr and Warren Benfield(Chicago Symphony), as well as jazz bassists Ron Carter and Richard Davis. Lex Valk began his music studies at the Berklee School of Music, continuing at The New England Conservatory and Ball State University, where he obtained his master's and doctoral degrees.
While teaching at Southern Illinois University (1976-1982), West Texas State (1983-1985), and Houston Community College (1986-1994), where he was Music Department Head, Dr. Valk directed prize-winning jazz bands, was a clinician at college jazz festivals, and performed as Principal Bass of the Memphis and Amarillo Symphonies, as well as Houston Grand Opera.
Since moving to Houston in 1985, He has focused on freelancing, playing with The Houston Symphony, Opera and Ballet, and has also played styles such as big band, fusion, klezmer, bluegrass and 'dawg music', continental, dixieland, classical and salsa, to name a few. He has also played many Broadway shows, backing up such names as Luciano Pavarotti, Rita Morena, Toni Tenille, Debbie Reynolds, Jerry Lewis and Robert Goulet. Previous releases include Noches Asturianas (Green Planet Records) and the Tom Borling BeBop Band Plays the Music of Eddie Lewis (also on CDBaby).
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