Big Band • Swing • Ballroom
Riff
In music, a riff is an ostinato figure: a repeated chord progression, pattern, refrain or melodic figure, often played by the rhythm section instruments or solo instrument, that forms the basis or accompaniment of a musical composition.
After college, Wally has continued his education out in the real world, as he has performed all across the United States, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean, touring, recording, and performing with such popular acts as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, The Four Tops, The Temptations and Natalie Cole, as well as Arturo Sandoval, Diane Schuur, Tony Bennett, Mercer Ellington, Ellis Marsalis, and numerous other jazz and popular artists. Furthermore, he has also performed across the United States as a member of the USO Jazz Orchestra and the USAirways Jazz Orchestra, performing for presidents Gerald Ford, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, and countless other entertainment, political and military dignitaries.
Wally has served as musical contractor and recording artist for Kindermusik International for their musical curriculum CDs, which are used worldwide. Wally is also visible on the Motown, Summit, EMI, Rockhouse and New Moon record labels as a recording artist. He has also served on the jazz studies faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill from 2001 to 2004.
In 2001, Wally was featured on the cover and in an article and interview in Saxophone Journal, the leading magazine spotlighting the best saxophone players in the world.
Today, Wally is both a proud member and the executive director of the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra, the state's most celebrated jazz orchestra. He is in demand as a studio session player, recording jingles, commercials, and corporate video soundtracks. Additionally, Wally serves as music director and project coordinator for the John Coltrane Jazz Workshop in High Point, NC and also is musical director for the High Point Youth Jazz Orchestra and the High Point Celebration Band, a wind ensemble formed to celebrate High Point, NC’s sesquicentennial (that’s 150 years, folks!). It was in 2006 when Wally won the Mayor's Award for Teaching Excellence highlighting his gift of working with young jazz musicians at both the John Coltrane Jazz Workshop and the Youth Jazz Orchestra. Wally’s experience in both performance and instruction has him called upon as an adjudicator and clinician for high school and college jazz festivals. Wally also serves on the Board of Advisors at the Guilford Technical Community College School of Entertainment Technology.
Wally's wife Cathy is the Coordinator of Music and Arts at Christ United Methodist Church in Greensboro, where they are members. They have a 12-year-old son, Aaron, who is into swimming, basketball and cycling, as well as playing trombone in the school band. Aaron loves rock ‘n’ roll music, particularly Led Zeppelin and AC/DC. Rock on!
Wally volunteers his time each month to deliver Mobile Meals to homebound senior citizens.