"Lil' Maceo" Kareem Walkes

International Saxophonist Kareem Walkes, is quickly becoming one of contemporary jazz’s most thrilling and emotive performers and continues to stand out and push boundaries as a composer, performer, and recording artist. He’s becoming the go-to sax-man for artists like JT Taylor, Cyril Neville, Li'nard's Many Moods, and Blues Hall Of Famer Slam Allen. Kareem's playing, though inspired by Maceo Parker and Candy Dulfer, among others, displays his own fresh ideas and distinctive tone. Born and raised in Queens New York, home to many Jazz legends like Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Count Basie to name a few, Kareem has been breathing powerful, soulful, raw energy into his saxophone since the age of 18. Kareem's musical journey began as a star tenor saxophonist with his high school band and then quickly sky-rocketed. Soon thereafter, Kareem shared a televised musical stage with a tremendous gathering of jazz legends, including Harold Ousley, Sonny Rollins, Benny Waters, Lionel Hampton, Kim Clarke and G. Earl Grice to name a few on the cable program “Harold Ousley & His Circle of Friends”.

Kareem's mastery of the soprano saxophone earned him the laudable nickname “The Black Kenny G" and as a smooth jazz soprano saxophonist, Kareem has recorded 2 albums entitled "Passion" and "Sax and the City." Kareem's 3rd album “His name is KAREEM” a "Pop" jazz album, is slated for a Spring release.

Kareem continues to perform Weekly with Li'nard's Many Moods in NYC and the world but also has performed with various well-known artists in and around the New York City area , and the world including Maceo Parker, JT Taylor, Cyril Neville, Cindy Bradley, Cheryl “Pepsi” Riley, Milo Z, Slam Allen, Amanda Brown, Jerry Dugger, Antar Goodwin, Shareef Clayton, Chrissy Poland, The Bleecker Street All-Stars, Days of Wild, Dave Kolker, Junior Mac, Grant Green Jr., Frank Viele & The Manhattan Project and the incomparable blues legend Moe Holmes. He has shared the stage and recorded with Gospel artist "Y.O." Yonette Hall. He has also performed with J. Records recording star Gavin DeGraw, as well as Grammy Award Winning Artists John Mayer and Joss Stone and music icon Cyndi Lauper.

Currently, Kareem is performing with his band promoting his upcoming release “His name is KAREEM”. Kareem still finds time to explore his love of musical theater having spent several seasons as the Theater for the New City's Assistant Musical Director and resident saxophonist and 2nd keyboardist. Beyond performing, Kareem is currently producing and writing his 4th album, "Grown & Saxy". Kareem also wrote and produced for Artist Rhoda. Both of her Albums were Nominated for several music awards including IMA’s (Independent Music Award) for R&B Album of the Year, Best New R&B/Pop Artist and Best Female Pop Song.

A composer, producer, and a self-taught pianist, Kareem's musicality stems from a place of raw passion and desire to create truly unique and superior music.