Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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WALRATH, Jack

(b 5 May '46, Stuart FL) Trumpet, composer, leader. Brought up in Montana, began studying trumpet '55, attended Berklee '64--8, moved to West Coast and played with Gary Peacock among others; toured with Ray Charles, came to more prominence with Charles Mingus '74--8 (notably on Changes One and Changes Two). He is a clever leader, reflecting the impact of many styles (his record collection numbers 20,000), humour, musicianship and arranging skill never in doubt. Mostly quintet albums often with bassist Anthony Cox incl. Demons In Pursuit '79 on Gatemouth (with John Scofield and Dannie Richmond), In Montana '80 now on Jazz Alliance, Revenge Of The Fat People '81 (on CD as The Jack Walrath Group incl. Ricky Ford and Cameron Brown) and quartet A Plea For Sanity '82 on Stash, In Europe '82 on Steeplechase, two vols At Umbria Jazz Festival '83 on Red, Killer Bunnies '86 on Spotlite (with UK group Spirit Level), Out Of The Tradition '90 with Cox, Benny Green, Larry Coryell and drummer Ronnie Burrage on Muse. Wholly Trinity was on Muse and was also on Vogue CD, a trio of trumpet, bass and drums, which leaves the soloist almost naked, but Walrath's crackling tone and intelligence pull it off: the ensemble sound is somehow complete. Blue Note work already out of print incl. Master Of Suspense '86, a septet with Cox, Burrage, James Williams on piano, Steve Turre on trombone, Kenny Garrett and Carter Jefferson on reeds, guest Willie Nelson on two tracks recorded separately later: the band introduces Hank Williams's 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry' sounding like a lonesome Mingus in Montana, then lay out while Nelson sings and plays piano accompanied by a muted Walrath, then take it out with a furious struggle against urban loneliness. Albums with various lineups called Masters of Suspense incl. Gut Feelings '91 and Serious Hang (with Don Pullen) '92 on Muse, Hip Gnosis on TCB; Journey, Man! '96 on Evidence by Jack Walrath and the Hard Corps is a steaming yet informal set of gutsy, tight originals, with Bobby Watson and Craig Handy on reeds, rhythm section Kenny Drew Jr, Ray Drummond and Victor Lewis.