About Me
“Ass-Shakin’ Boogie Blues†Showcase Chicago MagazineKhalif “Wailin’ “ Walter lit up the Chicago Blues music scene with his unique style of boogie Blues. He now calls the European market his home base where he was received warmly after several short tour stints there as a sideman. Khalif “Wailin ’†Walter’s stormy guitar work and brash New Orleans style vocals, generate the band’s traditional down-home sound, reminicent of greats like Freddie King, Albert King, and Albert Collins. Fused with contemporary style and innovative original arrangements, Khalif “Wailin’ “ Walter delivers foot stomping finger snapping Blues that sets the roof on fire.Where have you seen him? Khalif “Wailin’ “ Walter appeared regularly on the Chicago Blues circuit, and performs in venues and festivals throughout the U.S. Recent performance highlights include:- The 2001 & 2003 Chicago Blues Festival - The International Blues Talent Showcase in Memphis - A global internet concert, broadcast live from Chicago Blues institution Kingston Mines - Radio airplay of the debut CD “Shimmy, Shake, Stomp, Shout†on stations throughout North and South America, Australia, & Europe - A showcase in front of over 22,000 people at one of Michael Jordan’s final playoff appearances at the United Center in ChicagoKhalif “Wailin’ “ Walter is a guitarist, singer, bandleader, and songwriter. He received a BA in Jazz performance from Chicago’s Roosevelt University and his minor concentrationof study was African-American History. Khalif “Wailin’ “ Walter has toured with and performed under the tutelage of his uncle and mentor, 12-time W.C. Handy nominee Carl Weathersby, culminating in a performance in front of over 10,000 at the Cincinnati Blues Festival. Khalif was a 4 year band alumnus of 2-time Grammy nominee Lonnie Brooks Band and completed a 2002 European tour with him. Khalif has accompanied B.B. King’s daughter Shirley King as her bandleader throughout the U.S. Khalif has appeared on stage with such Blues giants as Grammy Winner Taj Mahal, Grammy Winner Otis Rush, The Jimmy Vaughan Band, The Buddy Guy Band, Junior Wells, Bernard Allison, Grammy nominee and W.C Handy nominee Pinetop Perkins, 2-time Grammy nominee Billy Branch, Grammy Winner Sugar Blue, Larry McCray, Curtis Salgado and A.C.Reed.
