Born in Rawlins, Wyoming, Walter Strauss has always sought inspiration in the great open spaces of the American West. This quest for wildness permeates his music, both as a songwriter and an instrumentalist. Walter's compositions are simultaneously e [+]Born in Rawlins, Wyoming, Walter Strauss has always sought inspiration in the great open spaces of the American West. This quest for wildness permeates his music, both as a songwriter and an instrumentalist. Walter's compositions are simultaneously expansive and intricate, exploring modern geopolitical and psychological landscapes with strength and sensitivity. His unorthodox finger-style guitar approach combines rhythms, counter-rhythms, melody and harmony in a way that gives the impression of several instruments playing at once -- across the musical genres of Americana, world beat, folk, jazz and classical guitar.
For more than 15 years, Walter has performed as an ensemble musician at concert venues, theaters and festivals throughout the United States, Canada and Ireland, including the Kennedy Center, The Bottom Line, United Nations, The Lobby in Cork, Ireland, Kerrville Folk Festival and others. He has toured extensively with Rounder Records' eclectic folksters The Burns Sisters Band, performed in a duo with Malian kora master Mamadou Diabate, and shared the stage with numerous musicians, such as: fiddle legend Vassar Clements, Celtic guitar wizard Martin Simpson, jazz cellist Hank Roberts, and blues harp man James Montgomery. Since relocating to California in 2004, Walter has been performing solo, on tour with Mamadou Diabate, and on occasion with avant-pop CMP recording artist Andy Rinehart or Australian singer/songwriter Audrey Auld.
Walter's production credits include CDs by singer/songwriter Jonathan Stevens and NYC's Marc Berger and the Headcleaners, and his guitar has graced a variety of recordings, including those of Andy Rinehart, Finnish artist Benjamin Antell and The Burns Sisters. In October, he released "Pulling Shadows," a colorful and compelling blend of styles and themes. On the CD, songs with African-leaning rhythms live next to laments from deep in Americana. Funky, sensual guitar abandon leads to a pastoral, almost-classical guitar instrumental, while a warped look into the human psyche jeers at the listener through a twisted Latin jazz piece. Featuring a diverse cast of musicians, "Pulling Shadows" highlights the creativity and sonority of Walter's approach to arrangement and studio production, while being decidedly rootsy and ex
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