Over 36,000 Long Island Middle School students have been introduced to Blues music by native Long Islander Toby Walker over the last 15 years.

"When you ask the kids what they remember most about 8th grade, this is it"
- Jeff Moss - English Teacher, Weber Middle School

"Out of the many teaching artists that we have worked with, you are one of the best at striking a nice balance between explaning and teaching music"
- Mark Burford, Weill Institute at Carnegie Hall

Since 2003, Toby Walker has been not only performing the Blues for middle school students, but has also taught them how to write their own Blues songs and perform the music for their classmates. Without them realizing it, the students have also seen how the history of this unique, American born music reflected the African American experience.

The students writing their own songs:

Toby teaching the musicians:

Here's what it looks and sounds like by the end of the presentation.

Toby Walker has been recognized by the Long Island Music Hall Of Fame, who awarded him the Long Island Sound Award for his achievements and contributions.

Toby’s passion for blues led him 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 others.

You can read more about him here:
Toby Walker's Bio

"Toby Walker is the kind of performer schools would be delighted to have, captivating the students not only with his musical abilities, but his extraordinary knack for story-telling, giving them rich insights into the roots of this American art form. With today's emphasis on the Learning Standards, Toby Walker offers the ‘whole package’, enabling students to experience the integration of music in language arts and social studies. I would highly recommend him to give programs in the schools."
Denise Romas Music Teacher
Charles E. Walters Elementary School

Here's what a few students had to say:

“I just wanted to say thanks i had a blast today it was awsome.!

"I've been practicing the stuff u taught me it's startin to come together lol (laugh out loud)
thanks again.”

“I really liked the music you played for us. I learned a lot, and I laughed too! I liked the part where we made our own song.”