Narada Michael Walden
American musician / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Narada Michael Walden (/ˈnɑːrədə/ NAH-rə-də; Michael Walden; born April 23, 1952)[1][6] is an American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. He acquired the nickname Narada from Sri Chinmoy.[6]
Narada Michael Walden | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Michael Walden |
Born | (1952-04-23) April 23, 1952 (age 72) Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.[1] |
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Years active | 1971–present |
Labels | Atlantic, Warner Bros., Tarpan |
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Website | naradamichaelwalden |
He began his career as a drummer, working primarily in the jazz fusion realm, appearing with John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Chick Corea, Jaco Pastorius, Jeff Beck, Wayne Shorter and Weather Report, and Allan Holdsworth. After being mentored by Quincy Jones, he transitioned into a role as a songwriter and producer, working in the 1980s and 1990s with numerous R & B acts such as Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, as well as other singers across a number of genres. In 2020, he became the drummer for Journey replacing Steve Smith. In 2021, he became one of two drummers in the band alongside the returning Deen Castronovo prior to leaving in 2022.[7] He appears on the band's album Freedom (2022), having co-produced and played on the album before his departure.