10 Facts About Cedar Walton

Cedar Walton came to prominence as a member of drummer Art Blakey's band, The Jazz Messengers, before establishing a long career as a bandleader and composer.

Cedar Walton began emulating these artists' recordings from an early age.

Cedar Walton was tempted by the promise of New York City through his associations with John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, and Richie Powell, whom he met at after-hours sessions around Denver, Colorado.

Cedar Walton quickly got recognition from Johnny Garry, who ran Birdland at the time.

Cedar Walton was drafted into the US Army and stationed in Germany, cutting short his rising status in the after-hours jazz scene.

Cedar Walton joined the Jazztet led by Benny Golson and Art Farmer and played with them from 1958 to 1961.

Cedar Walton left the Messengers in 1964 and by the late 1960s was part of the house rhythm section at Prestige Records.

Cedar Walton arranged and recorded for Etta James from the mid-1990s on, helping her win a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album for Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday in 1994.

In January 2010, Cedar Walton was inducted as a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master.

Cedar Walton played and recorded with drummer Billy Higgins from the mid-1960s through the 1990s.