Remembering Ken Walker (1955–2026)

The Lamont School of Music community mourns the passing of beloved jazz bassist, educator, and mentor Ken Walker, who died yesterday at the age of 69. For nearly 30 years, Walker served on the faculty of the Lamont School of Music, shaping generations of young artists while maintaining an extraordinary career as one of the region’s most respected jazz musicians.

Walker joined Lamont in the early 1990s as its first Instructor of Jazz Bass. What followed was not just a long tenure, but a defining presence within the jazz program and the broader Colorado music community.

Former Chair of Jazz & Commercial Music Art Bouton recalled the moment Lamont was considering hiring Walker:

“When Lamont was looking to hire our first Instructor of Jazz Bass in the early nineties, I knew of Ken as a world class player, but did not know if he could also teach. But then I worked with Ken at the Mile High Jazz Camp and witnessed his insightful and supportive, yet uncompromising interactions with the students. He was a tremendous teacher. Ken was also first call for every national performer that came to Denver and they often then called Ken to record with them.”

That balance — supportive yet uncompromising — defined Walker’s pedagogical approach. He challenged students to dig deeper, listen harder, and serve the music above all else. His teaching distilled complex musical ideas into deceptively simple truths, often delivered with characteristic wit.

Bijoux Barbosa, current instructor of jazz bass at Lamont, said "I had the privilege of knowing Kenny for three decades. He was always kind, welcoming, and gracious whenever our paths crossed. He was deeply loved in our community."

Students will forever remember his quintessential “Ken-isms”:

• “Play exciting. Don’t get excited.”
• “Silence is not a mistake.”
• And when words alone weren’t enough: “Take the horn out’cha mouth.”

Behind the humor was profound musical wisdom. Walker emphasized clarity, restraint, time feel, and above all, musical intention. He understood that great jazz is not about flash, but about listening, space, and trust.

Dave Hanson, adjunct jazz faculty from 1986 to 2022, shared these words:

Ken was such an effective and inspiring teacher that his students were gig-ready and out playing in the community upon graduation. A running line

 of his was, “they need to understand that staying in Denver (and taking my gigs) is not a good idea”. Truth is, he couldn’t have been prouder of his students and what they achieved.

Ken had a 4/4 swing groove that was the envy of every bassist, but he could sail through odd meter playing, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban feels, you name it. This didn’t happen by accident; he really studied everything, and intensely. Ken’s “Motherlode” collection of Brazilian music, fake books, method books, scores and recordings was an open secret, and we all dipped into that from time to time.

My favorite photo of Ken is this one, taken by Barbara Ernst: the three children approached Ken, drawn to him and his bass like a magnet, and you can see that joy reciprocated in Ken’s face. I think all of us felt that way with Ken. A magical person and musician. His imprint not only on Lamont but on our whole community is huge and lasting.

Beyond Lamont, Walker was a pillar of the Denver jazz scene. As noted in a recent tribute from KUVO, he was widely regarded not only as a first-call bassist for visiting national artists, but as a deeply generous collaborator and friend. His résumé included performances and recordings with internationally renowned jazz figures, yet he remained grounded in the local community, mentoring younger players and championing the music he loved.

In October 2024, Walker was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, a fitting recognition of both his artistic excellence and his enduring impact on the state’s cultural life. The honor celebrated not only his virtuosity and versatility, but also his role in shaping Colorado’s jazz identity over several decades.

Though current Lamont Director Brian Pertl did not have the opportunity to work personally with Walker, he reflected on his legacy within the school:

“Even before I arrived at Lamont, I was aware of Ken Walker’s extraordinary reputation — as a musician and as a teacher. His nearly three decades of service shaped the artistic lives of countless students and helped define the excellence of our jazz program. We are profoundly grateful for his contributions and extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, colleagues, and former students.”

Walker’s impact cannot be measured solely in performances, recordings, or accolades. It lives on in the hundreds of bassists and ensemble players he trained — musicians who carry forward his insistence on listening, discipline, musical honesty, and joy.

He taught students not just how to play bass, but how to play together.

The Lamont community extends its heartfelt condolences to Ken Walker’s family, friends, colleagues, and the many musicians whose lives he touched. His sound, his wisdom, and his unmistakable voice in the bandstand conversation will continue to resonate for years to come.