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Walter Blanding, Jr. with the John Toomey Trio at the Attucks Jazz Club

By Mark Robbins
April 21, 2025
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Educator, composer, musician,

Walter Blanding

saxophone, tenor
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Walter Blanding is a man for all seasons. Born into a musical family in Cleveland, OH, his parents moved the family to New York in the early '80s where his parents became part of the house band at the Village Gate jazz club. Blanding began playing the saxophone at the age of six and performed with his parents as a teenager

He studied at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, where he met

Wynton Marsalis

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Wynton Marsalis, and later at the New School for Social Research. In 1998, after many refusals to join, Blanding finally agreed to become a member of the

Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and for the next 25 years he played concerts, traveled the world, and taught young people everywhere the band went .

Blanding spent several years in Israel, (he speaks four languages), where he made a significant impact on the local jazz scene, earning the title "Jazz's Ambassador to Israel" from Newsweek. He also taught in Israeli schools and toured the country with his ensemble.

Recently, Blanding joined the Jazz Studies Program at Michigan State University as an assistant professor, continuing his dedication to jazz education. His career reflects a deep commitment to both performance and teaching, making him a prominent figure in the jazz world.

Blanding's winning personality and outstanding playing (tenor and soprano sax) were on full display during a recent performance with

John Toomey

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">John Toomey on piano,

Jimmy Masters

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Masters on bass and

Frank Russo

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Russo on drums at the Attucks Jazz Club. The day before the Saturday night gig he led a Master Class with the Old Dominion University Jazz Band.

Following are photos from the Saturday night gig. View Slideshow

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