Robert Walter's 20th Congress

Biography

Robert Walter, a San Diego native, entered the local music scene in high school around 1984, initially playing drums in the funk-rock band Daddy Long Leggs before switching to keyboards under the pseudonym 'Stretch' in the early '90s rock band Creedle, which released three albums and several singles. In 1993, he co-founded The Greyboy Allstars as the backing band for DJ Greyboy, performing weekly at venues like San Diego's Green Circle and San Francisco's Elbo Room, leading to critically acclaimed albums and world tours that launched solo careers for its members. To explore compositions outside Greyboy's style, Walter formed Robert Walter's 20th Congress in 1999, featuring himself on electric piano and Hammond B3 organ, alongside Cochemea Gastelum on sax and flute, Chris Stillwell on bass, and Stanton Moore on drums; their debut Money Shot was released in 2000 on Fog City Records.[1][2]

Walter relocated from San Diego to New Orleans in 2003, recording projects like Super Heavy Organ with local musicians Johnny Vidacovich, James Singleton, Tim Green, and Stanton Moore, followed by Cure All in 2008, blending soul-jazz intellect with funk. After moving to Los Angeles, he revived 20th Congress for the 2013 album Get Thy Bearings, spotlighting his organ, piano, Rhodes, and synthesizer work with Elgin Park on guitar/bass, Aaron Redfield on drums, Karl Denson and Cochemea Gastelum on sax, and Chuck Prada on percussion. His style fuses jam band, jazz funk, soul jazz, funk, and soul elements, drawing from 1970s jazz/funk while remaining instrumental and composer-driven. Walter balances 20th Congress with Greyboy Allstars reunions, film soundtracks, and high-profile tours.[2][3][4]

Currently based in Los Angeles, Walter has toured extensively with Roger Waters on the 'This Is Not A Drill' tour (2022-2023) and Dark Side of the Moon Redux performances, playing Hammond B3, ARP Solina, Clavinet, piano, and melodica. His legacy includes elevating groove-oriented instrumental music, fostering collaborations across jazz, funk, and rock scenes, and maintaining a prolific output through diverse band lineups and quick, in-the-room recording approaches.[1][2][7]

Fun Facts

• 20th Congress started as Robert Walter's outlet for compositions 'just outside' The Greyboy Allstars' wheelhouse, allowing stylistic flexibility in the late '90s and 2000s.
• Walter performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in June 2022 as Hammond B3 player for Roger Waters, marking a high-profile TV appearance amid 99-date tours.
• Recent 20th Congress lineups emphasize road-honed improvisation, with Walter writing 'launch pads' for the band to stretch older tunes unexpectedly.
• Albums like Cure All (2008) were recorded in a 'quick and dirty' style, tuning in the morning and capturing takes live in the room for raw energy.

Members

• Chris Alford - electric guitar
• Robert Walter - eponymous
• David Carano

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Cochemea Gastelum - alto sax, electric sax, flute in early 20th Congress (Money Shot (2000), Get Thy Bearings (2013)) [1999-present]
• Stanton Moore - drums in early 20th Congress and solo projects (Money Shot (2000), Super Heavy Organ (2003)) [1999-2000s]
• Chris Stillwell - bass in early 20th Congress (Money Shot (2000)) [1999-2000]
• Karl Denson - sax in later 20th Congress (Get Thy Bearings (2013)) [2013]
• Elgin Park - guitar/bass in later 20th Congress (Get Thy Bearings (2013)) [2013]
• Aaron Redfield - drums in later 20th Congress (Get Thy Bearings (2013)) [2013]
• Simon Lott - drums in recent 20th Congress quartet (recent tours and recordings) [2010s-present]
• Victor Little - bass in recent 20th Congress quartet (west coast gigs and evolving sound) [2010s-present]
• Chris Alford - guitar in recent 20th Congress quartet (recent tours transforming older material) [2010s-present]
• Johnny Vidacovich - drums in New Orleans projects (Super Heavy Organ (2003), Cure All (2008)) [2003-2008]
• James Singleton - bass in New Orleans projects (Super Heavy Organ (2003), Cure All (2008)) [2003-2008]
• Roger Waters - Hammond B3 and keys on major tours ('This Is Not A Drill' Tour, Dark Side of the Moon Redux (2022-2023)) [2022-2023]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #acid-jazz