Album Notes

Donald Walden, saxophonist/composer received the Jazz Master Award presented by Arts MidWest in 1996, making him one of six Detroit musicians to receive this award.Walden presently holds the position of Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Michigan where he's been teaching for the past 8 years.

Walden's career has included performances with a wide variety of musicians that include Barry Harris, Tommy Flanagan, Woody Shaw, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin.


Seeing the need for a civic jazz orchestra Walden formed The Detroit Jazz Orchestra (DJO) in 1982. In 1985, the DJO received the the Governor's Arts Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts.

Over the years the DJO has numbered as many as 45 members for special performances , most notably "Yardbird Suite", which featured full band, string section and a 40 voice choir with Dizzy Gillespie as guest soloist. The orchestra has also been the launching pad for a number of young Detroit artists that include Geri Allen, Regina Carter, and Rodney Whitaker.
Previous recordings featuring Walden as leader include "A Portrait of You", released in (1992), and "A Monk and A Mingus Among Us (1997).

His latest recording "Focus" Donald Walden & the DJO performing the music of Tadd Dameron is receiving national air play and promises to be one of the picks of the year . This album recorded live in Detroit features a multi-generational group of Detroit musicians . Arrangements are by Walden and altoist, Cassius Richmond. Also, Willie Smith a colleague of Dameron's contributes "If you Could see Me Now".
Selections range from classics such as Ladybird to esoteric such as Double Talk.
As you will observe as you listen, the audience had a marvelous time and we are certain that you will also.
Share it friends, they will love your for it .