Doug Walker: Left-Handed Bass Wizard

Doug Walker. Photo by Michael Oletta.

“Neither of my parents were musicians, but there was always music in the house, primarily jazz and classical selections,” explained 45-year-old local bassist Doug Walker about his upbringing in the Northern California town of El Dorado Hills.

EARLY YEARS
His musical journey commenced in fifth grade, playing alto sax. “I was interested in oldies rock ‘n’ roll from the 1950s and ’60s,” he said, “which featured those cool sax riffs.” After doing that for a couple of years, he got a hand-me-down nylon string guitar. “It was a right-handed guitar and I’m left handed,” Walker detailed, “so I was playing it upside down and wound up playing bass riffs on it.”

So, at age 14 Walker made the transition to electric bass guitar. His first band was with a few of his high school friends. “We did a few gigs locally, playing funk and jam band stuff,” he recalled. “During that time, it inspired me to listen more deeply to some of the groundbreaking funk and fusion bands, particularly Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters album.”

COLLEGE DAYS  
Walker’s interest in jazz stemmed from his musical exploration of previous jazz luminaries, including Miles Davis, Chick Corea, and the myriad Blue Note record label mainstream recording artists. This led him to attend American River College in 1998, a junior college in Sacramento, where he pursued learning the upright acoustic bass.

“I played in the big band there,” Walker said, “and was fortunate to study with their musical director, Joe Gilman.” Fortunate indeed as Gilman is a renowned jazz pianist and educator who toured with legendary jazz vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson. “Gilman taught the theory classes,” Walker continued, “and helped develop my ear-training skills as well.”

Walker at Panama 66.

After those years at American River College, Walker decided that music was what he wanted to do and noticed that San Diego State University had a strong jazz curriculum to transfer to. “I auditioned for their program in 2001 and got a scholarship to attend,” he shared. “I didn’t know anyone in San Diego at the time but quickly melded in with other classmates who were pursuing similar professional goals.”

Walker attended SDSU through 2007, earning an undergrad and a master’s degree in jazz studies. He had a number of excellent faculty mentors there throughout. “Rick Helzer, for jazz theory, was the perfect person for me to study with, along with Richard Thompson as well,” Walker reflected back. “I had Gunnar Biggs for my bass studies, who was my first serious bass teacher—Bob Magnusson during grad school.”

SAN DIEGO STAGES
While in school Walker began to get noticed around town by attending jam sessions and networking with other gigging musicians. “I started getting hired by band leaders for one-night event gigs, mainly corporate parties, weddings, and background music settings.” As he confidently states in his mantra, ‘I’m a bassist that’s hungry for good music from any genre,’ and he’s lived up to that billing starting in 2008.

In that year Walker joined the group, the Red Fox Tails. “A fun band,” he exclaimed, “with all original instrumental tunes, sort of jam band, surf type material. It’s been an ongoing band for me since then and I get to switch off between electric and acoustic basses. Recently we opened up for Echo and the Bunnymen at the Belly Up.”

Plow: Doug Walker, Jason Weiss, Chris Clarke.

Walker has also been the ongoing bass player for the bluegrass band Plow, fronted by mandolin/vocalist Chris Clarke. “Chris is one of my best friends and a favorite person to play with. We play a steady gig at Heroes Wood-Fired Pizza in Santa Ysabel.”

Clarke recalled being quite delighted with the outcome of hiring Walker for his band. “Doug had some initial reservations about playing bluegrass without a lot of previous experience, but after hearing Doug perform the first time, I knew I had stumbled upon a very special player,” Clarke explained. “Doug comes with big musical ears along with a vocabulary on his instrument that few can replicate. His kind and caring approach to life is reflected in his musical voice, from note selection, tone, and dynamics; he knows how to make the music sound better.

“Once you get to know Doug, you realize there is a lot more there besides music; he’s a son, a husband, and a father. I’m so thrilled to see him stepping out and leading his own band now… go see Doug when you can, you will not be disappointed.”

Walker has been a first-call bassist for many distinguished band leaders in town, trombonist Matt Hall for one. “I’ve been playing bass pretty regularly with Matt when he has his gig at the Seven Grand in North Park,” Walker said. “Matt is always well prepared with a set list and musical charts ahead of time for me to prepare.” Flute virtuoso, Lori Bell, also chimed in. “I recently played a gig with Doug. It was a musical tribute to Bill Evans,” said Bell. “He gets a big warm bass sound, and he did a great job reading all the arrangements.”

Walker with Shawn Rohlf & the Buskers, Whistle Stop. Photo by Dennis Andersen.

Additionally, heavyweight jazz pianists Irving Flores and Mikan Zlatkovich as well as multi-instrumentalist Americana artist Shawn Rohlf have hired Walker as the backbone of their rhythm sections. “Mikan has some challenging arrangements; he’ll often compose on the spot, so you have to think fast,” Walker stated. “Irving is a fun guy to work with, a marvelous player, and Shawn Rohlf is a prolific writer of original tunes who has a clear vision of what he wants to do with his music, in addition to knowing a million tunes from different songwriters.”

Rohlf returned the compliment. “Doug is a superbly versatile, talented, and creative bassist,” Rohlf described,” but you would never pick up on that just by talking to him because he is also one of the most humble musicians I’ve ever known. He has a great sense of humor, but you better be listening closely as he is so soft spoken, it’s easy to miss his hilarious quips that crack me up every time. He’s a great friend and a class act who carries with him an ego-less curiosity that allows him to constantly grow as an artist.”

FAMILY
Walker has been married since 2012. His wife, Erin, is an art program manager at Sophie’s Gallery, where adults with developmental disabilities are given the opportunity and tools they need to realize their full creative potential. They have one daughter, Maggie, who is 11 years old and in fifth grade. “Between her day job and my gigs at night, we maintain well,” Walker exuded. “Maggie’s rockin’ it. She’s an excellent student and dabbles in music on the piano. I teach her some melodies on piano, but I’m not putting any pressure on her yet for formal lessons.”

FAVORITE BASSISTS
Walker has taken a deep dive into studying the styles of bassists in numerous genres; here are some responses from the names I threw at him.

“Stanley Clarke, bassist for Chick Corea, was yes, a huge influence; Larry Graham from Sly and the Family Stone for sure; Charlie Haden, a tone monster; Ray Brown, love him, I’ve transcribed some of his solos; Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) one of my first electric bass influences along with Les Claypool from Primus, both reasons I wanted to play bass in my early days. I had Primus t-shirts I wore to shreds. I love the works of Scott LaFaro and Eddie Gomez on bass with pianist/composer Bill Evans; Steve Swallow, so cool, developed his own sound on electric bass; Dave Holland, a huge fan, loved his playing with Miles Davis; and, finally, Larry Grenadier, I love his work with pianist Brad Mehldau.”

THE NIGHTCAP SESSIONS
Walker established a unique late-night setting, titled the “Nightcap Sessions” at Leonard Patton’s Jazz Lounge, featuring weekly guest artists accompanying him on bass. “I choose the musical direction for each session,” he explained, “which all begins at 10:30pm. I pick the accompanying artists and the musical theme.” His guests have included guitarists Zo Shah, Joey Carano, Victor Baker; vibraphonist Ian Harland; saxophonists Charlie Arbelaez, David Borgo, Ian Tordella; pianists Kat Shoemaker, Adam Wolff; and house drummers Justin Joyce, Matthew Taylor, and Kevin Higuchi, with Patton often included on percussion and vocals.

Walker at the Jazz Lounge.

Patton speaks highly of Walker’s musicianship and professionalism. “Doug is a musician’s bass player,” Patton exuded. “What I mean is that he always cares for the music and how it’s played within the context of any group he’s in. He comes prepared and is always willing to give more along with an open mind to creativity. It’s a big reason why he’s one of the most coveted bass players in San Diego. All in all, he’s just a super nice guy to be around, no drama, just music and smiles.”

Borgo weighed in on sharing the stage with Walker. “Doug is first and foremost a stellar musician who is always deeply committed to the musical moment. The first thing that attracted me to his playing was his ‘horn-like’ soloing. He improvises on the bass in ways that make you think of a saxophone or trumpet. After playing with him for a while, you learn that it’s his creativity and conscientiousness along with his selflessness and simpatico that are his greatest strengths.”

Taylor shared his thoughts on keeping the grooves on drums in tandem with Walker’s bass lines. “I’m proud to say I’ve known Doug now for almost 16 years. As a side man myself, I rarely put a band together, but when I do, he’s my first call. Recently, after a Jazz Lounge gig, I thanked him for his solid bass playing…in return he simply said, ‘I just really love this music we’re sharing.’”

Walker in the recording studio.

Joyce, who also pairs up with Walker in a rhythm section on drums, added: “Doug is one of my favorite people on and off the bandstand, a most sincere guy with such a big heart for the music, his family, and friends. In a rhythm section he’s so easy to play and lock in and groove with. Doug likes and listens to so many styles of music too, so he’s able to idiomatically adapt to so many grooves; he can wear so many hats. He’s also such an incredible composer,” Joyce continued. “Any time Doug brings in a new tune to read, I get pretty stoked. I feel very grateful to get to play and record him regularly!”

Jazz guitarist Baker has shared much stage and recording time with Walker and doesn’t hold back about his many positive collaborations with him. “Doug Walker is one of the humblest, understated musicians I know. He has a quiet focus and a strong foundation while always providing a heavy anchor to the music he is playing. I’m quite lucky to have been able to collaborate with Doug on his recent trio recording as well as having his help documenting my own music for my latest disc, As the Crow Flies. I’m always looking forward to playing with him…he’s a real San Diego treasure!”

Walker also participates when pianist Shoemaker hosts her jazz jams at the Jazz Lounge. “She always trusts in me tunes I may suggest playing that are a bit weird and random,” Walker explained. The respect is mutual as Shoemaker acknowledged. “Doug and I have played together in all jazz formats from duos to quintets. He’s always my first call. He’s always listening, while keeping the pulse and the groove moving forward. He is also creative as a soloist, both playing the melody and improvising, as his tone shines through in each case. I have played many of his compositions, too; they are a testament to his endless curiosity and desire to reach for the edge artistically. Finally, he is also one of the kindest people I know, which makes him a great gift to the San Diego music community.”

EPILOGUE

Photo by Darci Fontenot.

Walker is very clear on his future as a full-time musician. In 2024, Walker recorded his debut CD, Concurrent Lines, featuring eight original instrumental tracks with Victor Baker on guitar and Justin Joyce on drums. The CD was nominated for Best Jazz CD at the 2025 San Diego Music Awards. “The classic guitar/bass/drum trio recording was a good start, but now I want to expand and write for horns as well. I have a large collection of original tunes I eventually want to record as I hope to continue making CDs. Also, I want to book my own gigs playing my original compositions in addition to being the band leader on casuals where I can select just the right tunes for each occasion.”

Walker continues to keep busy gracing the many eclectic musical stages. However, beyond the bright lights and applause, he puts in perspective perhaps his proudest moment so far on his life’s journey: “I’m glad that I’ve gotten to be a primary caretaker for my daughter in her most formative years.”