Gary Walters, jazz and popular piano
Gary Walters holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from
Ball State University and a Master of Music in Composition from
Butler University.
He is an adjunct faculty member of Butler University's School of
Music in Indianapolis Indiana, where he has taught applied jazz
piano since 2000. Gary developed and implemented an introductory
jazz piano course for non-majors beginning in 2002. In 2006 he was
appointed director of Jazz Band II. He also teaches a section of
Music Theory for Media Arts, part of the Media Arts degree
requirement.
Gary has always maintained an active performing career, working
in a variety of musical genres, with his first love being jazz. At
present he tours with Rounder Records recording artist Carrie
Newcomer, a consummate songwriter in the folk genre, with 11 albums
of original music to her credit and an audience that spans both
coasts of the United States. At home in Indianapolis, he works with
the Icarus Ensemble, an eclectic 5 piece group made up of members
of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. They perform original
material written by Gary and other members of the group in a unique
presentation that references jazz, world music and classical. Gary
is also in demand as a free-lance pianist, working with local
artists including the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Pops, Steven
Stolen, Cathy Morris & Collage, Carter-Markiewicz Quartet,
Charlie Smith Project, Time Out, Phil Allen Octet, small Talk
Quintet, and Speakeasy. He has also performed with national
recording artists including Alan Vizutti, The Capitol Quartet,
Byron Stripling, Jeff Tyzik, Victor Krauss, Urbie Green, Bobby
Shew, Bebe Neuwirth, Leslie Uggams, Anne Peckham, Broadway touring
companies of Will Rogers Follies, Grease, West Side Story, touring
Oldies acts Martha Reeves, The Marvelettes, The Crystals, The
Coasters, Gary U.S. Bonds, the late Bobby Helms and Dell
Reeves.
As a composer and arranger, he has written in most genres of
music, including jazz, funk, Top 40, country, classical, new age,
etc. Some of his writing is for commercial radio and television
commercials in both local and regional markets. Other times it is
work-for-hire in collaboration with a lyricist or songwriter in
need of musical direction. Much of the jazz composing has appeared
on recordings as a member of bands including Time Out, Cathy
Morris, small Talk, the Carter-Markiewicz Quartet, and the Icarus
Ensemble. For the last several years, Gary has focused on writing
for various chamber ensembles including mallet percussion, string
trio, unaccompanied cello, brass quintet, jazz combos and string
orchestra. His "Mongrel No. 1" for solo piano, was premiered by
Stephen Beus, winner of the 2006 American Pianist Association
competition, held in Indianapolis every two years.
- Learn more about jazz studies at Butler University.
Jazz Studies at Butler
(PDF)
- Please visit the Piano at Butler website to learn
more about piano and keyboard studies at Butler University.
(317) 940-9060
gwalters@butler.edu