Walter Beasley is an American saxophonist, singer, and composer who was born on May 24, 1961, in El Centro, California. He is known for his smooth jazz sound, incorporating elements of R&B, funk, and soul into his music.
Beasley began his musical career in the late 1970s while attending college in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a member of a number of local jazz and R&B bands, including Ivy, which released a single that climbed to the top of the R&B charts.
Beasley’s solo career began in the mid-1980s when he released his first album, “Oasis,” which featured a mix of jazz, R&B, and pop. He continued to release successful albums throughout the 1990s, including “Intimacy” (1992) and “For Your Pleasure” (1996), which featured collaborations with many notable musicians.
Beasley’s smooth jazz sound and soulful playing style have made him one of the most popular saxophonists of his generation. He has won numerous awards for his music, including the NAACP Image Award for Best Jazz Artist in 2012.
In addition to his work as a musician, Beasley is also a professor of music at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has written several instructional books on saxophone technique and has hosted a number of workshops and clinics for aspiring musicians.
Page last updated 4/2/2023.
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