Indianapolis, IN. – It has been a few years since Seth Walker made it onto my “music radar” – Born and raised in a small town in North Carolina, Seth was classically trained in violin and cello from a young age before discovering the Blues as a teenager; trading in his cello for a hollowbody with humbuckers and never looking back. Heavily influenced by the jazzy side of the Blues by greats like T-Bone Walker, Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown, and Charlie Christian, it didn’t take Seth long to discover his passion.
Fast forward to 2017, when I was doing some research on one of my favorite bands and learned of an album produced by Oliver Wood (The Wood Brothers) with a blues cat out of Austin, TX named Seth Walker. The album was titled Sky Still Blue and I decided to give it a listen. I was instantly hooked on the mixture of blues and jazz that had a trifecta mix of sound from NOLA to Nashville to Austin. The music moved me…but isn’t that what Blues is supposed to do? I wanted to learn more about Seth and did what we do these days and pulled up my social networks to listen to some albums! Next up, I checked out Gotta Get Back, produced by Jano Rix (The Wood Brothers) and Seth’s ninth studio album that pulls you in with the sound of the “Big Easy” before taking you on a journey through his love of music (even pulling in his sister and parents to assist with some of the string parts on the album!) I was now a fan!! Since then, I’ve been trying to catch up with Seth on the road and check out a live performance and hadn’t had much luck…that is until now.
Stars finally aligned and I was able to check out Seth Walker and his band at the world famous Jazz Kitchen. The Jazz Kitchen is a 140 seat supper-style venue that hosts some of Jazz’s top musicians, along with serving fabulous American fare with Cajun-creole accents. On this Sunday evening, the room was filing up fast as fans were arriving a little early to enjoy dinner followed by a great show of Blues and Jazz. Currently out touring behind his 2019 album, Are You Open?, Seth and musicians treated fans to a full 90 minute set including tunes “Giving It All Away”, “Underdog”, and “No More Will I” while also covering fan favorites such as “Trouble”, “Gotta Get Back”, and “We Got This”. It was a fun packed set that had me dancing at the back of the room once I put my camera lens down. Filled with island influences from his time in Havana, the music took me to a sandy beach with an adult beverage, dancing my blues away. An intimate evening with Seth and his band.
Seth Walker will be back out touring in November to mid-December. Be sure to check below for dates near you as this is a show that will make you feel good and get your feet moving. Definitely suitable for all ages venue permitting.
UPCOMING 2021 TOUR DATES:
- FRI, NOV 5 – MOONSONGS AT ROADMASTER STAGE – BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC
- THU, NOV 11 – VILAR PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (VPAC) – BEAVER CREEK, CO
- FRI, NOV 12 – CHAUTAUQUA AUDITORIUM – BOULDER, CO
- SAT, NOV 13 – BRUES ALEHOUSE BREWING CO. – PUEBLO, CO
- WED, NOV 17 – SELLERSVILLE THEATER 1894 – SELLERSVILLE, PA
- THU, NOV 18 – ARDMORE MUSIC HALL – ARDMORE, PA
- FRI, NOV 19 – AVALON THEATRE – EASTON, MD
- SAT, NOV 20 – BARNS OF ROSE HILL – BERRYVILLE, VA
- FRI, NOV 26 – CAROLINA THEATRE – GREENSBORO, NC
- SAT, NOV 27 – ISIS MUSIC HALL – ASHEVILLE, NC
- SAT, DEC 11 – CAIN ARTS CENTER – CORNELIUS, NC
Enjoy Seth’s most recent release written long before Covid-19 but finished up once everything shut down, with the help of producer Jano Rix. “We Got This” is a positive message from Seth to remind us not to give up hope; accompanied by a video showcasing troubling times that the U.S. has overcome throughout its history.
Artist Hightlight: Unable to tour and instead at home like the rest of us in 2020, Seth figured out a way to channel his energy and gathered a collection of what he calls “part memoir, part meditation, part art gallery” of short essays, poems and paintings that he has accumulated over a near 30 year career. With a forward by singer/songwriter Oliver Wood and Edited by poet & essayist Leslie LaChance, Seth penned his first book, “Your Van Is On Fire – The Miscellaneous Meanderings of a Musician”. Make sure to pick up at your local book store or click here to purchase through Royal Potato Family.
