RIP — Bassist, Educator, Friend, Ken Walker
At KUVO, we celebrate jazz bassist and educator Ken Walker for the many years of friendship, his generous contributions to our radio station, and mostly for the incredible music that we have enjoyed over many years. Walker died on February 12, 2026. He was 69 years old.
Walker performed in the station’s Phyllis A Greer Performance Studio many times – we estimate he might be on half of the Live at the Oasis CD series. We have also captured recordings at our current location, the Buell Media Center, now on YouTube.
In 2003, Ken joined Hilton Ruiz and Dave Valentin for KUVO’s 18th Anniversary party. When Hilton kept asking about the bass player, we let him know his name. Hilton said, “Yes, he knows how to walk the bass!” In 2025, he performed at Dazzle on KUVO’s 40th Anniversary (August 29). In December, Ken performed for a special retirement event for Carlos Lando and Arturo Gomez at KUVO and later at their tribute show at Dazzle.
Beyond his technical mastery, Walker was known for his "functional to freer" playing style and his unwavering commitment to the Mile High City's jazz community through venues like Dazzle and Nocturne. He was also a member of the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame.
Ken Walker was raised in Arkansas – but he truly lived in Denver – and he lived bigger than life.
Walker began his musical journey on the cello and tuba before discovering the bass at Arkansas Tech University. After moving to Denver in 1985, he served as the house bassist at the legendary El Chapultepec for 12 years (1987–1998). He performed with a "Who’s Who" of jazz icons, including Freddie Hubbard, Joe Pass, Randy Brecker, and James Moody.
His debut release as a leader “Terra Firma” (2005), reached #13 on the Jazz Week Radio charts. His album “Down Home” later hit #1 on those same charts in 2012. Walker was a long-time faculty member at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, where he mentored generations of bassists.
Beyond his technical mastery, Walker was known for his "functional to freer" playing style and his unwavering commitment to the Mile High City's jazz community through venues like Dazzle and Nocturne. He was also a member of the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame.
Ken Walker was raised in Arkansas – but he truly lived in Denver – and he lived bigger than life.
"I met Ken Walker, whom I called “Kenny,” just after he arrived in Denver around 1986. He was the house bassist at The El Chapultepec Cantina (The Pec). At first, I just was drawn to him as a fellow bassist, but I’m glad to say that I became friends with this soft-spoken, beautifully talented cat. Before I knew it, I had a mentor, and every conversation or gig was a masterclass. Those of us who loved him are now vessels to carry his spirit." — Andy O'
For Kenny by Andy O'
The room feels lighter now,
too much air where the low end used to be.
You were the beating heart of the Mile High,
the rhythmic foundation that let others fly.
I remember the way you held the wood,
Not just playing it but breathing with it.
A lesson in relaxation and pace you gave us all,
You told us music shouldn't feel like work,
That mentorship was how the art stayed alive.
From the halls of learning to the stages you played,
you were “first-call” for a reason.
Always listening, always in the moment.
Believing if we listen to each other,
it can’t get any better.
It was always the best.
You have joined the ancestors
while we remain on Terra Firma
The vibration of your strings
Still hums in the floorboards
And in the hands of young bass wizards
nurtured by you
The song has changed Ken
But the pocket you built remains
Rest easy friend
The swing continues
We hear you
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