JD Walter: With a discography that spans more than 20 years and over 10 albums as a leader, the Philadelphia-born, New York-based JD Walter—known for his distinctive vocal tone and a sensibility that is both traditionalist and forward-thinking—is one of the world’s top modern jazz singers. Recordings such as One Step Away see him teaming up with boundary-pushing trio Tarbaby, with legendary musicians Orrin Evans, Nasheet Waits, and Eric Revis, to unsettle classic conceptions of a vocalist’s role in an ensemble. Others, including a collaborative recording with Sax icon Dave Liebman that brought much attention and accolades. Over the decades, Walter has performed at numerous jazz clubs and festivals in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, Central America as well as over 80 tours in Russia. He remains a regular in the New York music scene, and has headlined at Dizzy’s Lincoln Center, The Jazz Standard, The Blue Note, The Jazz Gallery, the Brooklyn academy of music and the Tribeca performing arts center, among other venues. Walter’s gift has placed him among the creme de la creme in jazz: he is known for his work with Sean Jones, Dave Liebman, Orrin Evans, Eddie Gomez, Ben Monder, Jean-Michel Pilc, Billy Hart, Bob Dorough, Nicholas Payton, Tom Harrell, Jim Ridl and many others.