Rakiem Walker is an accomplished saxophonist and musical director born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He started playing saxohpone at age 14 and has studied under Jazz Legends at Jazzmobile Workshops in Harlem, NY including Max Roach, Donald Byrd, and Milt Hinton. He has toured the world playing for independent band Bluesyde, R&B group Soul 4 Real (Uptown Records), and hip-hop group The Spooks (Sony Records). He has also recorded with legendary hip-hop rapper and producer the RZA as a saxophonist for several Wu-Tang Clan recordings including albums Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (Raekwon) and Tical 2000 (Method Man). He was also a featured saxohponist appearing in televised commercials for the Olympic Games in 1996 and 2000, as well as, in the feature film Friends With Benefits (2010).
As a musical director, he has toured with Lisa Simone Kelly (daughter of legendary soul singer and songwriter Nina Simone). He was previously the musical director of Red Rooster Harlem and Ginny’s Supper Club owned by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson. In this capacity, he was responsible for booking and managing all weekly live music performances and concert events and has worked directly with local, independent and major jazz, R&B, and legendary hit making producers including DJ Premier, Patrick Adams, Norman Connors, and The RZA.
He is also musical director for his band The Rakiem Walker Project and international Afro-beat band The Earthman Experience. Rakiem has worked with legendary male vocalist/crooner Mr. Freddie Jackson, Melba Moore, and producer legend Teddy Riley. He is also the main house band and music director for world renown chef Marcus Samuelsson and all of his major events and appearances. Currently, Rakiem is working on his own album with his band “The Rakiem Walker Project.” The Band is scheduled for a European Tour in June 2019.
They have currently also released new music in 2018 with a new single titled “Good Life.” Rakiem Walker’s debut album will be released summer 2019. The band is currently doing events for brands like CHANEL, Gucci, Citicorp, MasterCard, Children of Armenia Fund, Lyor Cohen, YouTube, Compilation features with Lifetime Television, “How High The Moon” for Swedish Game Developers (“Three Gates” in conjunction with Viacom), etc.
