Jacqui Walker was born in Amityville, Long Island, to parents of West Indian heritage. Raised in West Philadelphia and nurtured by her parents love of music, she and her brother Leslie took theatre and dance classes throughout their childhood. Jacqui joined the New Freedom Theater in Philadelphia at the age of 10 and was accepted into Philadanco four years later. Despite her lifelong love of dancing and singing, she never seriously considered a career in the arts until her sophomore year in c...
Jacqui Walker was born in Amityville, Long Island, to parents of West Indian heritage. Raised in West Philadelphia and nurtured by her parents love of music, she and her brother Leslie took theatre and dance classes throughout their childhood. Jacqui joined the New Freedom Theater in Philadelphia at the age of 10 and was accepted into Philadanco four years later. Despite her lifelong love of dancing and singing, she never seriously considered a career in the arts until her sophomore year in college. Jacqui was a quiet, unassuming Business major at the University of Pittsburgh until Dr. Vernell Lillie heard her singing in the back of her Contemporary Black Drama class. From that moment on, she stood center-stage at every performance. When Jacqui's father saw her play Billie Holiday in a production of Rob Pennys "The Crawford Grill Presents Billie Holiday", her purpose was clear. Jacqui transferred to the University of Tampa, Florida, changed her major, and studied Classical Piano, Guitar, Jazz, Tap, Ballet and Voice. While in Tampa, Jacqui recorded a techno version of "Waiting for the Night" by Depeche Mode for a compilation CD released by Rabbit in the Moon. After its release, she joined the band Grin and gigged all over Tampas famous Ybor City Strip. Damon Batiste invited the band to the New Orleans Jazz Festival, where they opened for the Neville Brothers. Encouraged by the strong response, Jacqui moved to Hollywood to become the next Tina Turner (without the Ike). Upon her arrival, she formed Tenbone Martini and spent the next two years writing songs and performing across Southern California. Tenbone opened for Morris Day and the Time, at the House of Blues, and warmed up the crowd for George Clinton when he played at the Dragonfly. When Tenbone broke up, Jacqui joined Urban Family Dog, with whom she sang for 15,000 people at the 2003 Rock n Roll Marathon in San Diego, California. During her time in Los Angeles, Jacqui has also frequently performed as a studio musician on numerous tracks for local producers such as Polar Bear and All Day Sucker. Jacqui formed a funk/rock band If 6 Were 9 with kick ass drummer Nikki Lane/ guitarist Josh Geller and Rich Florio on bass. Unfortunately if 6 were 9 has since broke up and she is currently working on her solo project. Citing influences such as Little Jimmy Scott, Billie Holiday, Tina Turner, Jimmy Hendrix, The Savannah Band, Janice Joplin, Terrence Trent DArby, Ani D'Franco, Jeff Buckley, Chakka, Tpri Amos, and Tracy Chapman
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