Versatile left-handed bassist and jazz composer Doug Walker has been working the San Diego music scene for over two decades, covering jazz, soul, folk, country, rock, and their many interconnected sub-genres. As a composer, he draws inspiration from these styles, and all available sources, cultivating an engagingly idiosyncratic concept of forward-thinking jazz.
Doug Walker Biography PDFs
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Audio Highlights
Selections from Doug Walker’s debut album Concurrent Lines, featuring 8 original compositions. A nominee for Best Jazz Album at the 34th Annual San Diego Music Awards, 2025.
“That’s How I Know” single. Words & Music by Doug Walker, featuring Leonard Patton, Anthony Smith, & Ricky G.
Selections from Victor Baker Quartet As The Crow Flies, featuring Mark Ferber. A nominee for Best Jazz Album at the 35th Annual San Diego Music Awards, 2026.
Selections from Gregory Page One Hell of a Memory, featuring Jason Mraz. Winner of Album of the Year and Best Pop Album at the 30th Annual San Diego Music Awards, 2021.
Video Highlights
Doug Walker Quintet at The Jazz Lounge, April 2026. Excerpts from “Blindsight” by Doug Walker.
Doug Walker Quintet at Leucadia Listening Lounge, March 2026. All original music by Doug Walker.
“InFormation” by David Borgo from his album Uplift, also accompanied by Kevin Higuchi (drums).
Doug Walker Quintet at Senses Bistro, October 2024. Excerpt from “Surface” by Doug Walker.
Bass solo on David Borgo’s “Something Borrowed Blues” from his album Relational, also accompanied by Tobin Chodos (piano) and Mark Ferber (drums).
Press Quotes
“… a powerful vamp… fueled by the lockstep interaction of left-handed double bassist Doug Walker and the crisp ride cymbal articulations…”
— Robert Bush, San Diego Reader
“Walker plays his standup bass not unlike a guitar, picking out counterpoints on harmony…”
— Jim Trageser, San Diego Troubadour
“Doug Walker plays delicious bass throughout.”
— Laffe Dutton, San Diego Troubadour
“The tightness of the band was all the more amazing, given that… Doug Walker filled in, after learning the book in one day!”
— Robert Bush, San Diego Reader
“… along with particularly dexterous acoustic bassist Doug Walker…”
— GvonT, Sing Out Magazine
“The music here is smart, sophisticated straight-ahead jazz.”
— Jim Trageser review of Concurrent Lines, San Diego Troubadour
“… grounded by the muscled bass of Doug Walker.”
— Robert Bush, San Diego Reader
Published Accolades
Excerpts from “Left-Handed Bass Wizard” by Wayne Riker, San Diego Troubadour cover story, June 2025.
“Doug is a superbly versatile, talented, and creative bassist.”
— Shawn Rohlf
“Doug is a musician’s bass player… He always cares for the music and how it’s played within the context of any group he’s in. It’s a big reason why he’s one of the most coveted bass players in San Diego.”
— Leonard Patton
“Doug is first and foremost a stellar musician who is always deeply committed to the musical moment… He improvises on the bass in ways that make you think of a saxophone or trumpet… His creativity and conscientiousness along with his selflessness and simpatico that are his greatest strengths.”
— David Borgo
“He’s always listening, while keeping the pulse and the groove moving forward. He is also creative as a soloist, both playing the melody and improvising, as his tone shines through in each case.”
— Kat Shoemaker
“Doug Walker is one of the humblest, understated musicians I know. He has a quiet focus and a strong foundation while always providing a heavy anchor to the music he is playing.”
— Victor Baker
“Doug likes and listens to so many styles of music… he’s able to idiomatically adapt to so many grooves; he can wear so many hats. He’s also such an incredible composer. Any time Doug brings in a new tune to read, I get pretty stoked.”
— Justin Joyce
“Doug comes with big musical ears along with a vocabulary on his instrument that few can replicate. His kind and caring approach to life is reflected in his musical voice… He knows how to make the music sound better.”
— Chris Clarke
Performance History
As a Leader
NOTABLE VENUES
- The Jazz Lounge
- Leucadia Listening Lounge
- Senses Bistro
- Adams Ave Unplugged
- San Diego Central Library Concert Series (Neil Morgan Auditorium)
- Ocean Beach Public Library Concert Series
- Prohibition Speakeasy
As a PRIMARY BASSIST
NOTABLE VENUES
- The Belly Up
- Observatory North Park
- The Music Box
- Dizzy’s Jazz, San Diego
- Lou Lou’s Jungle Room
- Tio Leo’s
- The Jazz Lounge
- Jazz at the Merc
- Barcari North Park
- Leucadia Listening Lounge
- Conrad Prebys Music Center Experimental Theater UCSD
- Off Broadway Live
- The Casbah
- Prohibition Speakeasy
- Grand Ole BBQ
- Senses Bistro
- Northern Spirits
- The Loft, UCSD
- Croce’s
CONCERT SERIES & FESTIVALS
- Tio Leo’s Sunday Jazz Series
- La Jolla Community Center Jazz
- Coronado Public Library Concert Series
- Encinitas Public Library Concert Series
- Village Jazz Series (Yuma, AZ)
- Gator by the Bay
- North Park Music Festival
- Carlsbad Music Festival
- Adams Ave Street Fair
- Adams Ave Unplugged
- Ramona Bluegrass
- Julian Bluegrass
- Colorado River Bluegrass Festival (Blythe, CA)
RESIDENSIES
- The Jazz Lounge
- Seven Grand
- Charade Speakeasy
- Panama 66
- Rosie O’Grady’s
- Urban Solace
- Liberty Public Marke
- Paradis
CASINOS
- Pala
- Valley View
- Jamul
- Viejas
- Yaamava
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Charlie Arbelaez, Victor Baker, Jeff Berkley, David Borgo, Chris Clarke, Miss Erika Davies, Encore Supper Club, Irving Flores, Matt Hall, Ian Harland, Jesse LaMonaca, Chris Lea, Philip Jay Jay Lim, Lucky Devils, Ashley E Norton, John Opferkuch, Leonard Patton, Plow, Amanda Portela, Red Fox Tails, Shawn Rohlf, Dave Scott, Billy Shaddox, Zo Shah, Kat Shoemaker, Anthony Smith, Louie V, Adam Wolff, Mikan Zlatkovich.