Performed by the Latin Quarter: Albert Lamar (alto sax), John Tavano (guitar), Chuck Walker (bass) & Yurianna Sobrino (drums). Manhã de Carnaval, by Brazilian composer Luiz Bonfá, became one of the first compositions identified with Bossa Nova to gain popularity outside Brazil. Particularly in the United States, the song is considered to be one of the most important Brazilian Jazz/Bossa songs that helped establish the Bossa Nova movement in the late 1950s. Manhã de Carnaval has become a jazz standard in the USA, while it is still performed regularly by a wide variety of musicians around the world in its vocalized version or just as an instrumental one. In the United States, the song is also known as "A Day in the Life of a Fool", "Carnival", "Theme from Black Orpheus", or simply "Black Orpheus".

Manhã de Carnaval (Black Orpheus)

Recorded in the Cider Shed during the Candlelight Stroll at the Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, NH December 2013. Featuring Joe Holaday on bass, Austin Bryant on drums, Albert Lamar on flutes & sax, and Chuck Walker on guitar. This was our encore tune. Despite the 8 inches of snow that fell that evening, we were all wishfully thinking of "Sunny" days with this tune. Enjoy!

Sunny 121413

Recorded live with Ken Clark (Hammond B3), Phil McGowen (drums), Jared Holaday (tenor sax), and CW (guitar) on the Market Square Stage, Yankee Homecoming, Friday, August 1st 2014.

Nose Dive 080114

One Cylinder 080114

"Long Tall Sally" is a rock and roll 12-bar blues song written by Robert "Bumps" Blackwell, Enotris Johnson, and Richard Penniman (known as "Little Richard"); recorded by Little Richard; and released in March 1956 on the Specialty Records label.
www.facebook.com/cuppajoejazz

Long Tall Sally - Cuppa Joe

"You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" is a popular song written by Cole Porter for the 1943 film Something to Shout About, where it was introduced by Janet Blair and Don Ameche.
www.facebook.com/cuppajoejazz

You'd Be So Nice To Come To - Cuppa Joe

"One Night" is a song written by Dave Bartholomew, Earl King and Anita Steinman and popularized by Elvis Presley.
www.facebook.com/cuppajoejazz

One Night - Cuppa Joe

Round Midnight

Live performance from the the Cider Shed during the Candlelight Stroll at the Strawbery Banke Museum, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Dec 1, 2012.

Serenade to a Cuckoo 120112

Inspired by a series of jazz workshops with San Diego tenor sax legend Daniel Jackson (Ray Charles, Jimmy Smith, Art Farmer) in 1995, guitarist Chuck Walker has been performing and composing music for over a decade on California's west coast. Since "cutting his teeth" in the San Francisco jazz scene in the late 90's with the likes of alto saxophonist John Handy (Charles Mingus) and guitarist Mimi Fox, Walker has performed extensively in Los Angeles with Team Scrub, End of the World Ensemble, and Skyline Electric, and in San Diego with the Chuck Walker Trio, Jivechops Ensemble, and Random House Band. 

"Sticking to the classic elements of acid jazz, the Chuck Walker Trio relies on its jazz improvisation to bring out the funky break beats that are signature of the subgenre. 'Our sound reaches out and connects with in-the-pocket drum grooves, thick bass thumps and lush guitar lines,' says Chuck Walker. 'The ability of the drums, bass and guitar to combine and create an improvisational platform for the soloist to play over is what the Chuck Walker Trio creatively explores every time we step on stage.' " 
- Ashley Lee, 944 Magazine - Music Issue (Apr 01, 2011) 

Evolution of the Chuck Walker Trio:
 
CW3 I - Determined to assemble a versatile jazz guitar trio of high caliber in 2002, Walker recruited drummer Fenimore Johnson, a lively musician with funky sensibilities and nonchalant timing. Rounding out the rhythm section, Walker enlisted the bottom end talents of bassist Bryan Gambell, a noted composer and cross-genre artist. 
 
CW3 II - In order to accommodate a more subtle, lyrical sound for more intimate events, a new trio emerged in 2004. Trumpeter extraordinaire Don Shaffer joined the trio format, sans drums, to perform a more laid-back West Coast style of cool jazz.
 
CW3 III - In 2009, master tenor saxophonist Andy Zahurak entered the scene, blowing thick melodic tones with a biting, driving East Coast intensity. With Fenimore Johnson on the drum kit, Zahurak’s tremendous tone and improvisational instincts compliment Walker’s steady handling of both bass line and guitar chords to produce an energy-packed straight ahead sound. 
 
CW3 IV - Landing a regular Friday night gig in 2010 downstairs at Prohibition Speakeasy in the historic Gaslamp Quarter of downtown San Diego opened the door for a heavier rhythm section to unfold: the ever-bouncing Joe Trujillo on upright bass and swingman Mark Cooper on drums. Exploring new levels of acid jazz at every performance, this fourth version of the Chuck Walker Trio builds the groove from the inside out, with driving rhythms and weaving melodies, thick with soul drenched improv.
 
CW3 V -  2011 began with master drummer and percussionist Tommy Ortiz taking up the drum position. With bassman Joe Trujillo maintaining solid "descargas" and Walker locking into 2nd line riffs, this new rhythm section generates an explosive funky sound with syncopated grooves and dancing melodies. 

Focused on original material and traditional classics, the group continues to work with guest soloists such as trumpeter/keyboardist Anilh Rameshwar, vibraphonist Julio Coronado, tenor man Billy Allen, and vocalists Kasey "Cookie" Coe and the Rev. Richard Ross to develop and expand their sound in the studio and on stage.

The Chuck Walker Trio is committed to bringing the best improvisational music to the stage every time. Drawing from a rich repertoire of classic jazz standards and innovative original material, the group’s brilliant dedication to this American art form shines at every performance.

jazzwalker

Popular tracks