About Me

Vocalist Barbara Walker grew up singing in West Philadelphia early in her career. She began singing professionally alongside her father, organist Bill Walker at the age of 16.  

Her journey would take her from The Esther Boyer College of Music at Temple University to performing around the world.  When she was home, Barbara could be found in church and on smaller stages like Zanzibar Blue, Warmdaddy's, and Relish night club just to name a few, but Walker wanted to do more and she did. She is an entertainer in the truest sense of the word, backed by an incredibly powerful voice; a woman whose performance exemplifies the word “excitement.”  

Her career has been rich and varied, marked by performances in film, theater, and recordings with local and international artists and musicians such as LL Cool J for Island/Def Jam Records. Then Barbara made her Hollywood debut Singing “Here Comes the Morning” in the mega hit movie, “The Score,” starring Robert DeNiro, Marlon Brando, Angela Bassett, and Ken Norton.

Walker would find herself performing at The American Music Theater Festival in the stage play tribute to Duke Ellington, “Essentially Ellington,” for which she received rave reviews. Walker would also be a featured vocalist on the first two albums of the Jazz group ‘’Pieces of a Dream’’ produced by the late legendary saxophonist, Grover Washington, Jr. Barbara sang the ever- popular song “Warm Weather,” which got great reviews and a lot of air play on stations around the country.

Walker was invited to sing on Sesame Street productions performing the letters B, D, and M, in cartoon form and performing Jim  Henson series ‘’The Muppets ‘’.  The late pianist/organist, Trudy Pitts, would go on to include Barbara in her “A Joyful Noise Suite” performed at Mother Bethel AME Church in the mid 90’s.

For over 10 years, Barbara sang for residents at Mercy LIFE West Philadelphia Senior Center performing for seniors monthly until the program ended in 2020 due to COVID.  Walker has been featured on the Tony Williams Scholarship Jazz Festival, specifically on the Sunday nondenominational worship service backed by a choir and rhythm section.   Barbara could also be seen as part of the Jazz Until Sunrise concerts at the African American History Museum (AAMP) on Presidential Weekend as part of the PECO Energy Jazz Festival produced by the Museum.

Barbara has toured the country with the music luminaries such as Grover Washington, Jr., Patty LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Herbie Hancock, Nancy Wilson, Celine Dion, Al Jarreau, Chic Corea, Diane Schuur, Uri Caine, Diana Krall, Les McCann, Bradford Marsalis, Toots Thielemans, Oscar Brown, Jr., Bobby Durham, Michael Bolton, Manhattan Transfer, and Maynard Ferguson, to name a few.

Longtime friend, pianist/composer Uri Caine called Walker to be a part of his “The Passion of Octavius Catto" project, in Tribute to Philadelphia's18th Century Freedom Fighter Octavius Catto, a Ten-Part Composition for Jazz Trio, Chamber Orchestra, and Gospel Choir featuring Barbara Walker. This work would premier at The Philadelphia Freedom Festival, The Mann Music Center in the summer of 2014 along with Dr. Marvin Sapp. This work would later be recorded in NY with an orchestra that included Walker, bassist Mike Boone and drummer Clarence Penn.  In May 2024, Walker attended the Porgy & Bess Jazz Club in Vienna, Austria. 

More information about Octavius Catto Please visit this website:   https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tLP1TcwMjPLNTcxYPTiy08uSSzLLC1WSE4sKckHAG9jCLg&q=octavius+catto&rlz=1C1RXMK_enUS1099US1099&oq=octtavios+catto&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqDAgBEC4YDRjUAhiABDIGCAAQRRg5MgwIARAuGA0Y1AIYgAQyCQgCEAAYDRiABDIPCAMQLhgNGK8BGMcBGIAEMgkIBBAAGA0YgAQyDwgFEC4YDRivARjHARiABDIJCAYQABgNGIAEMgkIBxAAGA0YgAQyCQgIEAAYDRiABNIBCTEwODM2ajBqN6gCCLACAfEF0HtPlWajC5M&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Walker was also recognized and presented with an “Award of Achievement” from then Pennsylvania Governor Bob Casey in the 90s.  Barbara has been an advocate for "The Jazz Bridge Project", an organization in the Greater Philadelphia area that helps musicians in their time of crisis and greater need. Over the years, Barbara has used her musical talents for the organization's fundraising events, as well as Neighborhood Concerts, Summer Concerts, and Concerts for Senior Citizens.

"You can always tell a good vocalist when other vocalists come to see your show.  Barbara Walker's performance have inspired a number of vocalists and musicians with her technique, determination, and commitment to keeping the music alive.  She is a superior artist in every respect and her star has been on hold too long.  I am positive that Ms. Walker's exuberance on and off stage will continue to bring good fortune her way.

Barbara's performances have inspired vocalists, musicians, and audiences with her showmanship and commitment to preserving the music.  To appreciate Barbara Walker, you must see her live.  She is a superior artist whose star continues to rise."

                                                                                              Darryl L. Matthew, Zanzibar Blue

Walker’s journey is not over yet, so stay tuned for more.