Meet the Shades of Blue Conductor

Michael Walker
Name:	Michael A. Walker (Musical Director, Trombone)
DOB:	04/03
Education:	St. Mary’s College, Armed Forces School of Music
Occupation:	Army Musician, Clinical Associate at Johns Hopkins Oncology
Favorite Music Era:	Big Band ‘40-‘75
Favorite Artist:	Bill Watrous, J.J. Johnson
Favorite Big Band:	Count Basie
Favorite Song:	My Funny Valentine
Other Music Experience/Groups:	Navy Band, Trombonist & Unit Leader
Biggest Musical Influences:	J.J. Johnson, Bill Watrous
Hobbies:	Teaching scuba diving
Family:	3 sons – 19, 18, & 17
Joined Shades of Blue:	1999
Favorite Sound:	Many trombones
Favorite Color:	Blue
Favorite Car:	Functional
Favorite Junk Food:	Ribs

Essex, Maryland resident Sergeant Michael A. Walker is a trombonist with the 229th Maryland Army National Guard Band. In addition, Sgt. Walker serves as the leader of "The Swinging Minutemen" which is their official Jazz Orchestra. Sgt. Walker has diversified international experience in music management and performance. Formerly, as a Musician in the U.S. Navy Music Program, he served as the leader of Navy Showband Guam, Navy Band Guam Jazz Combo, Navy Band Guam Ceremonial Band, Navy Band Guam Parade Band, Navy Band Seattle Rock Band "Cascade," Navy Band Seattle Jazz Combo "Sailing," and the Commander-In-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Band Jazz Combo. Locally he also serves as (1) a Clinical Associate in Oncology at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and (2) the Musical Director of the Baltimore-based "Shades of Blue" Big Band.

Sergeant Walker, a 1976 graduate of the Baltimore City Public School System, attributes his success as a musician to God, his father James E. Walker, and the music staff and curriculum of the Frederick Douglass Senior High School Music Careers Program which today continues its tradition of leadership in college preparatory music education. In 1979, following music studies at St. Mary's College of Maryland, Michael entered the Navy as a Field Medical Service Corpsman. He transferred 2 years later to the U.S. Navy Music Program after an accelerated advancement through the Armed Forces School of Music (SOM). In 1988, he returned to the SOM and graduated top in his class from six months of training and testing to officially qualify as a leader in military band administration, ceremonial and jazz/pop conducting, arranging, Drum Major technique, and military leadership.


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