All About Toby Walker
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"Flat out... you have to hear this great musician... I'm blown away"
- Jorma Kaukonen Hot Tuna, Jefferson Airplane, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee and founder of the Fur Peace Ranch Guitar Camp. |
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Biography
Toby Walker is an award winning fingerpicking guitar virtuoso, teacher, songwriter, storyteller, and published writer who has toured America, Canada, England, Wales, Scotland, The Isle of Mann, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Cyprus.
Walker has developed his own, unique way of playing, blending the styles of blues, ragtime, country, bluegrass, old-time jazz, slide guitar, and rock. In this style, he uses his right hand thumb to handle the bass, while his fingers simultaneously play both rhythm and improvised lead guitar. Walker calls this style 'The Band In My Hand!'
During the years 1990-94, Toby made numerous trips to the Mississippi Delta, Virginia and the Carolinas where he tracked down some of the more obscure - but immensely talented - music makers of an earlier era. See Learning From The Masters.
Awards
He was the 1st place recipient of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, has been inducted into the NY Blues Hall Of Fame, The 1st Annual 'Best Album Of The Year Award,' and was given a Long Island Sound Award from the Long Island Hall Of Fame. (See below for the complete list of additional awards).
"Walker's guitar work is inspired. His fingerpicking is as intricate as any linen finery... A pinch of Piedmont, a dash of Delta, a solid Chicago undercurrent minus the amplification but not the electricity - A brilliant, remarkable guitarist."
... Brian Beatty, Blues Revue
Media
Publications: Sing Out Magazine, The Mersey Beat of Liverpool, The New York Times, The London Sunday Times, Blues Wax interview by Bob Margoin, Blues and Company (France) Blues Revue Quarterly, Blues in Britain, Blues Blast Magazine, Hans Wolven (Dutch), Das Blues (Germany), The Gitarre & Bass Music Magazine (Germany), The Country Blues, as well as numerous other local American newspapers.
Television: Music featured on 'Duck Dynasty,' Interviewed on News 12 Long Island.
Cable: Britain - The Greg Michael Show, America - The Wes Houston Show.
Radio Interviews: Sirius XM with Bill Wax, WUSB - The Blues Show, WFUV - with John Platt, The BBC Radio 2, Cyprus radio.
Guitar Instructor
As a private guitar instructor for over 50 years, Walker has also taught workshops at Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch in Ohio, Woody Mann's Guitar Seminars in New York City, The Swanannoa Gathering in North Carolina, Guitar Intensives in Maine, and the National Guitar Workshop in Connecticut. He has over a dozen of instructional DVD's and Downloads on Happy Traum's Homespun Music Instruction and has produced hundreds of instructional videos for his own lesson website - Toby Walker's Lessons.
CD's
Walker also produced 12 CD's, receiving rave reviews.
"Strong originals, finely modulated voice and precise guitar playing - Walker is commited to honest communication"
Downbeat Magazine
"I think the record (Hand Picked) is brilliant. Great playing, great singing, great tunes and great sound. Congratulations on a wonderful job."
Larry Campbell - sideman to Bob Dylan, Levon Helm, Phil Lesh and Lifetime Achievement Instrumentalist Award Winner.
"6 CD's in only 7 years, and as far as I'm concerned all masterpieces"
Eric Dumeige ... Blues & Company from France - July 08
DVD's
Through Happy Traum's Music Instruction Company, Toby has over a dozen instructional DVD's where he teaches fingerpicking Blues, Ragtime, and Slide Guitar.
"The remarkable Toby Walker has made an outstanding lesson that is sure to appeal to all fingerpickers who love blues and traditional guitar playing. He helps bring your songs to life by adding the rhythmic bounce that will put "pop" into anything you want to play." - Ronald Crabtree, Amazon
Researching The Blues Field Trips
During the years 1990-94, Toby made numerous trips to the Mississippi Delta, Virginia and the Carolinas where he tracked down some of the more obscure - but immensely talented - music makers of an earlier era. He learned directly from Eugene Powell, James "Son" Thomas, Etta Baker, and R.L Burnside, among many others. See more in Learning From The Masters. Walker wrote about his travels, which was published in Blues Revue Quarterly, and uses their songs and stories in his performances. Walker also created a documentary of these travels, called 'Chasin' The Blues.'
"Now you play those blues real good. I want you to carry them on for me."
Eugene Powell, Greenville, MS
Blues In The Schools
Finally, for the last 20 years, Walker continues to perform his Blues In The Schools program for various middle schools, including Carnegie Hall, and even a high school in France! To date, he probably has touched the lives of an estimated 40,000 students during this period!! Oh yeah, and a few of their teachers as well!!
"Out of the many teaching artists we have worked with, you are one of the best at striking a nice balance between explaining and playing music"
Mark Burford - Weill Institue at Carnegie Hall
"When you ask the kids what they remember most about 8th grade, this is it"
- Jeff Moss - English Teacher, Weber Middle School
More Quotes
“Walker is a smooth story teller who possesses a gritty singing voice that can deliver the blues feeling, but he often just lets his guitar do the talking."
- Kay Cordtz - Elmore Magazine
"If he doesn't get them with his phenomenal guitar playing or catchy songs, he gets them with his wonderful stories. True entertainers have an engaging spirit that puts a smile on your face. Arlo Guthrie has it. David Bromberg has it. And so does Toby. "
- John Platt - WFUV
"Flat out... you have to hear this great musician... I'm blown away"
Jorma Kaukonen of Hot Tuna and the Jefferson Airplane
"A fingerpicking guitar virtuoso"
- Happy Traum
"As a blues guitar player, I am stunned and in awe of Toby Walker's pickin'! Not only does he master diverse blues styles, but plays them with both flash and depth. That's the advanced class -- few players can do both. Add to that his fine songs and singing and friendly presentation, and it's obvious that Toby Walker is one of the most enjoyable artists in today's Blues World."
...Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin, blues musician
"A real killer with fantastic technique. He just knocks me out."
..John Hammond, blues musician
Walker has developed his own, unique way of playing, blending the styles of blues, ragtime, country, bluegrass, old-time jazz, slide guitar, and rock. In this style, he uses his right hand thumb to handle the bass, while his fingers simultaneously play both rhythm and improvised lead guitar. Walker calls this style 'The Band In My Hand!'
During the years 1990-94, Toby made numerous trips to the Mississippi Delta, Virginia and the Carolinas where he tracked down some of the more obscure - but immensely talented - music makers of an earlier era. See Learning From The Masters.
Awards
He was the 1st place recipient of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, has been inducted into the NY Blues Hall Of Fame, The 1st Annual 'Best Album Of The Year Award,' and was given a Long Island Sound Award from the Long Island Hall Of Fame. (See below for the complete list of additional awards).
"Walker's guitar work is inspired. His fingerpicking is as intricate as any linen finery... A pinch of Piedmont, a dash of Delta, a solid Chicago undercurrent minus the amplification but not the electricity - A brilliant, remarkable guitarist."
... Brian Beatty, Blues Revue
Media
Publications: Sing Out Magazine, The Mersey Beat of Liverpool, The New York Times, The London Sunday Times, Blues Wax interview by Bob Margoin, Blues and Company (France) Blues Revue Quarterly, Blues in Britain, Blues Blast Magazine, Hans Wolven (Dutch), Das Blues (Germany), The Gitarre & Bass Music Magazine (Germany), The Country Blues, as well as numerous other local American newspapers.
Television: Music featured on 'Duck Dynasty,' Interviewed on News 12 Long Island.
Cable: Britain - The Greg Michael Show, America - The Wes Houston Show.
Radio Interviews: Sirius XM with Bill Wax, WUSB - The Blues Show, WFUV - with John Platt, The BBC Radio 2, Cyprus radio.
Guitar Instructor
As a private guitar instructor for over 50 years, Walker has also taught workshops at Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch in Ohio, Woody Mann's Guitar Seminars in New York City, The Swanannoa Gathering in North Carolina, Guitar Intensives in Maine, and the National Guitar Workshop in Connecticut. He has over a dozen of instructional DVD's and Downloads on Happy Traum's Homespun Music Instruction and has produced hundreds of instructional videos for his own lesson website - Toby Walker's Lessons.
CD's
Walker also produced 12 CD's, receiving rave reviews.
"Strong originals, finely modulated voice and precise guitar playing - Walker is commited to honest communication"
Downbeat Magazine
"I think the record (Hand Picked) is brilliant. Great playing, great singing, great tunes and great sound. Congratulations on a wonderful job."
Larry Campbell - sideman to Bob Dylan, Levon Helm, Phil Lesh and Lifetime Achievement Instrumentalist Award Winner.
"6 CD's in only 7 years, and as far as I'm concerned all masterpieces"
Eric Dumeige ... Blues & Company from France - July 08
DVD's
Through Happy Traum's Music Instruction Company, Toby has over a dozen instructional DVD's where he teaches fingerpicking Blues, Ragtime, and Slide Guitar.
"The remarkable Toby Walker has made an outstanding lesson that is sure to appeal to all fingerpickers who love blues and traditional guitar playing. He helps bring your songs to life by adding the rhythmic bounce that will put "pop" into anything you want to play." - Ronald Crabtree, Amazon
Researching The Blues Field Trips
During the years 1990-94, Toby made numerous trips to the Mississippi Delta, Virginia and the Carolinas where he tracked down some of the more obscure - but immensely talented - music makers of an earlier era. He learned directly from Eugene Powell, James "Son" Thomas, Etta Baker, and R.L Burnside, among many others. See more in Learning From The Masters. Walker wrote about his travels, which was published in Blues Revue Quarterly, and uses their songs and stories in his performances. Walker also created a documentary of these travels, called 'Chasin' The Blues.'
"Now you play those blues real good. I want you to carry them on for me."
Eugene Powell, Greenville, MS
Blues In The Schools
Finally, for the last 20 years, Walker continues to perform his Blues In The Schools program for various middle schools, including Carnegie Hall, and even a high school in France! To date, he probably has touched the lives of an estimated 40,000 students during this period!! Oh yeah, and a few of their teachers as well!!
"Out of the many teaching artists we have worked with, you are one of the best at striking a nice balance between explaining and playing music"
Mark Burford - Weill Institue at Carnegie Hall
"When you ask the kids what they remember most about 8th grade, this is it"
- Jeff Moss - English Teacher, Weber Middle School
More Quotes
“Walker is a smooth story teller who possesses a gritty singing voice that can deliver the blues feeling, but he often just lets his guitar do the talking."
- Kay Cordtz - Elmore Magazine
"If he doesn't get them with his phenomenal guitar playing or catchy songs, he gets them with his wonderful stories. True entertainers have an engaging spirit that puts a smile on your face. Arlo Guthrie has it. David Bromberg has it. And so does Toby. "
- John Platt - WFUV
"Flat out... you have to hear this great musician... I'm blown away"
Jorma Kaukonen of Hot Tuna and the Jefferson Airplane
"A fingerpicking guitar virtuoso"
- Happy Traum
"As a blues guitar player, I am stunned and in awe of Toby Walker's pickin'! Not only does he master diverse blues styles, but plays them with both flash and depth. That's the advanced class -- few players can do both. Add to that his fine songs and singing and friendly presentation, and it's obvious that Toby Walker is one of the most enjoyable artists in today's Blues World."
...Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin, blues musician
"A real killer with fantastic technique. He just knocks me out."
..John Hammond, blues musician
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With Larry Campbell
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With Bob Margolin
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With Hans Theesink
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With Mike Dowling
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"The talent, passion, and soul of a Toby Walker performance reflects these travels. Whether it is telling the humorous and heartwarming tales of other masters, talking about his inspirations, or astounding you with his mastery, his performances are a feast for the senses. The audience is moved in ways that delight them long after the encores. You can catch a taste of these stories on his Web site in "Learning From the Masters" section. But make no mistake about it - he is to be experienced live. Those fortunate enough to attend one of his shows will vouch for that." - Making a Scene - The Independent Music Magazine.
With Pinetop Perkins and Bob Margolin
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With J.J. Cale
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Winning the Memphis International Blues Challenge Award
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With Jorma Kaukonen and G.E. Smith
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With Woody Mann
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Learning from James 'Son' Thomas, Bentonia MS
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Learning from Etta Baker, Morgantown, NC
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Teaching at Fur Peace Ranch
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Awards
Long Island Sound Award from the Long Island Music Hall of Fame
Inducted into the N.Y. Blues Hall of Fame
NY Music Award For Best Instrumental Album
Bronte Blues Award - England
Selected for the NERFA Formal Showcase Performer
International Blues Challenge Award presented by The Blues Foundation
Inducted into the N.Y. Blues Hall of Fame
NY Music Award For Best Instrumental Album
Bronte Blues Award - England
Selected for the NERFA Formal Showcase Performer
International Blues Challenge Award presented by The Blues Foundation
Selected Articles
Selected Clubs, Theaters, Coffee Houses
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Crossroads Cafe, Belgium
Bottleneck Blues Club, England Otterton Mill, England The Harborside Club, England New Forest Arts Centre, England The Musician, England Oranges, England The Filo, England Sutton Blues Collective, England New Crawdaddy Blues Club, England Amsterdam Folk Club, Holland Pough Arts Centre, England Brandford Coffeehouse, CT Steeple CH, MA Rams Head On Stage, MD The Mainstay, MD West Side Cafe, MD Second Story Coffeehouse, MD Avalon Theater, MD Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club, NJ The Minstrel, NJ Outpost In The Burbs, NJ The Sanctuary, Chatham, NJ Music at the Mission, NJ Pilton Church Hall, England Bridgewater Arts Centre, England The London Resonator, England Marble Valley Correctional Center, VT Unitarian Church Concert Series, VT B.B. Kings, NY The Makor, NY Joe’s Pub, NY Folks City, NY Caffe Lena, NY Fur Peace Ranch Music Hall, OH North Elk Coffeehouse, MD Suffolk Theater, NY Perkasie Patchwork Concerts, PA The Ship Theater, England The Prince Albert, England Notes From Home Concerts, NJ Our Times Coffeehouse, NJ Bullfrog Blues Club, England The Gaiety, Devon, England Wyndam Arms, Kingsbury, England Cathcart Castle Golf Club - Scotland The Institute, Laxey, Isle Of Man Guitar Workshop, Douglas, Isle Of Man The Erin Arts Centre, Isle Of Man Hochdorf , Hauskonzert - Austria Bei Luzern Hauskonzert - Austria Filmmuseum Bendestorf - Germany Wohnzimmerkonzert - Germany Artgenossen - Germany Blues am Meer - Germany |
Merkin Hall, NY
Carnegie Hall, NY Bull Run, MA The Turning Point, NY Blackstone River Theater, RI The Towne Crier, NY Silus Series House Concerts, NJ Musical Lairs House Concerts, PA Cozy Cabins House Concerts, NJ Empty Nest House Concerts, NJ Heights House Concerts, NJ Jalopy, NY Boulton Theater, NY Vail-Levitt Theatre, NY Jamie's House Of Music, PA Sacadaga Valley Coffee House, NY Ontario Ctr For The Performing Arts, NY The Bottom Line NY MusicFest Cafe, Bethlehem, PA PSALM Salon, PA Steel City Coffeehouse, PA Dean Center, PA Godfrey Daniels, PA Sellersville Theater, PA New Daisy Theater, TN Gibson Guitar Lounge, TN The Peabody Hotel, TN Handy Hall, TN The Birchmere, VA The Athenaneum, VA Seven Oaks Guitar Festival, England Burnette’s Hill Chapel, Wales Tarrytown Music Hall, NY Landmark Theater, NY Groovin' in New Fairfield, CT Oswego Music Hall, NY Newbury Arts Center, England Worthenbury Village Hall, England Dorchester Arts Centre, England The Anchor, England South Orange Performing Arts, NJ Baldwin Station, MD The Beehive, England Blues Front Blues Room, England Lynton Church Hotel, England Ober-Mörlen, Hauskonzert - Gernany Lich, Hauskonzert - Germany Rüti (CH), Hauskonzert - Switzerland Bamberger Gitarrentage - Austria Blueskaffee Jena - East Germany Cyprus Savino Live, Larnaca Faros Restaurant UKCA club Hole in the Wall Sarah’s Jazz Club G’s Restaurant |
Selected Festivals and Concert Series
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Georgian Bay Music Festival, Canada
Atlin Arts & Music Festival, Canada Sounds Of The World Concert Series, CT Apple Blues Festival, England Tring Blues Festival, England Blues On The Farm, England Beauvai Blues Festival, France Terri'Thouars Blues 2014, France Ockstadt Blues, Germany Dogwood Blues Festival, GA Western Maryland Blues Festival, MD Rockville Wine and Music Festival, MD Fallfest, MD Split Level Concert Series, NJ Music at the Mission, NJ University Cafe, Stony Brook, NY Warwick Blues Festival, NY Long Island Bluegrass Festival, NY Downtown Festival Series, Glen Cove, NY Bound For Glory, NY Long Beach Jazz and Blues Festival, NY Long Island’s 1st Blues Festival, NY |
Great South Bay Festival, NY
Barrier Beach Blues Festival, Freeport, NY Vally Folk Concerts, NY Wine Press Concert Series, NY Gottagetgone Festival, NY Riverhead Blues Festival, NY Cedar Beach Blues Festival, NY Stony Brook Fiddle Festival, NY NY Rhythm and Blues Festival, NY Blues 2000 Blues Festival, NY Smithtown 2nd Annual Blues Festival, NY Columbus Blues Festival, OH Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch, OH Philadelphia Folk Festival, PA Spring Gulch Folk Festival, PA Bethlehem MusikFest, PA Bucks County Blues Festival, PA PocoNotes Concert Series, Scranton, PA Longwood Gardens, PA W.C Handy Awards Festival, TN Blast Furnace Steel Stacks, Bethlehem, PA |
Societies and Art Centres
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Bridgewater Arts Center, England
Dorchester Arts Center, England South St, Arts Center, England Aldershot West End Centre, England Newbury Arts Centre, England New MIlton Arts Centre, England Worthenbury Blues Society, England Keighly Blues Soceity, England |
Amazing Things Art Center, MA
Down East Folk Arts Society, NC Seaside Arts Council, NC Intermedia Arts Center, NY Huntington Folk Music Society, NY Long Island Blues Society, NY Cornell Folk Music Society, NY Landsdown Folk Society, PA Susquehanna Folk Music Society, PA |
Guitar Workshops and Blues in the Schools
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_Fur Peace Ranch, OH
Swannanoa Gathering, NC Woody Mann’s Acoustic Sessions, NY National Guitar Workshop, CT Philadelphia Folk Festival Guitar Workshop, PA Shaker Meadows Guitar Camp, NY Folk Project, NJ Sam Ash Guitar Clinic, NY Clinic at Ithaca Music Works, NY Huntington Folk Music Society, NY Long Island Fingstyle Guitar Club, NY Cornell University, NY Stony Brook University, NY IS 235, NYC Courtesy of Carnegie Hall Woodlands Middle School, NY Weber Middle School, NY MS 571, NYC Courtesy of Carnegie Hall MS 223, NYC Courtesy of Carnegie Hall |
JHS 157, NYC Courtesy of Carnegie Hall
William McKinley I.S. 259, NYC Courtesy of Carnegie Hall Louis Pasteur MS 67 NYC Courtesy of Carnegie Hall Long Beach High School, NY Herricks Middle School, NY Stimpson Middle School, NY Pulaski Elementary School, NY Northport Middle School, NY Ocean Ave Elementary School, NY Nessaquake Middle School, NY West Side School, NY |
Recorded With
Television
Duck Dynasty
News 12 Long Island
The Blues Show....Springfield, MO
Art Scene Long Island
Cablevision's Wes Houston Presents
The Guitar Show with Mike Byrnes
The Greg Michael Show
News 12 Long Island
The Blues Show....Springfield, MO
Art Scene Long Island
Cablevision's Wes Houston Presents
The Guitar Show with Mike Byrnes
The Greg Michael Show
Teaching Credits
Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch
Swannanoa Gathering
Woody Mann's Acoustic Sessions
National Guitar Workshop
Carnegie Hall 'American Roots Music' in the schools
Swannanoa Gathering
Woody Mann's Acoustic Sessions
National Guitar Workshop
Carnegie Hall 'American Roots Music' in the schools
Shared The Bill With:
Richie Havens, Taj Mahal, John Mayall, Bo Diddley, John Hammond, James Cotton, Johnny Winter, Paul Oscher, Pete Seeger, Judy Collins, Bob Margolin, Charlie Musselwhite, Hubert Sumlin, Jimmy Vaughn, Kenny Neal, Robert Lockwood Junior, Lonnie Brooks, Hans Theesink, Doc Watson, David Bromberg, Mike Dowling, Johnny Copeland, Bobby Radcliff, Savoy Brown, Sonny Landreth, John Sebastian, Chuck Brodsky, Chris Smither, Cliff Eberhardt, Eric Bibb, Roy Bookbinder, Christine Lavin, Cheryl Wheeler, Jack Williams, Pat Wictor, The Kennedys, Rich Furay, G.E. Smith, Woody Mann, Jorma Kaukonen, Larry Campbell, Rory Block, Corey Harris, Tracy Grammer, Laura Love, Duke Robillard, The Kingston Trio and J.J. Cale.
_Toby Walker endorses Huss and Dalton Guitars, National Resophonic Guitars, MacPherson Guitars, Hauver Guitars, D'Addario Strings and Rocky Mountain Slides.
