El Segundo residents and visitors from all over the world have enjoyed classic silent movies come alive with the magic of the “Mighty WurliTzer” (vintage organ brought in 1968 to the historical Old Town Music Hall located in downtown’s Richmond Street). El Segundo’s Old Town Music Hall is not just the vintage movie theater that dates back to 1921. This historical El Segundo landmark also serves as an intimate concert hall hosting a list of musical greats that now include the legendary platinum artist Greg Walker that rose to fame as a lead vocalist for Carlos Santana. The setting was an old-fashioned Christmas spectacular for Greg Walker’s debut El Segundo Old Town Music Hall performance with brightly decorated Christmas trees, grand green Christmas wreaths lighted up with multi-colors and decorated with puffy red bows, two huge antique chandlers, and a reddish warm tint to the walls along with old fashioned movie seats that rocked back and forth. Santa Claus was on stage standing guard, and of course the “Mighty WurliTzer” took center stage as an object of beauty even though only the grand Bosendorfer piano was being played by the master keyboardist TC Campbell. It was all first class top professional musicians with Greg Walker and TC Campbell being joined by Bill Kilpatrick on acoustic guitar and Paul Cerra on sax. Jacquelyn Levy, the famed vocalist that introduced Greg Walker to the Old Town Music Hall, was in attendance and recognized by Walker who had nothing but kind words for her.
The Christmas show started slightly past 7:00pm as concert goers bustled in fashionably late as they were preparing to share the joy of an intimate music experience with loved ones. Greg Walker started off singing “The First Noel” smoothly without instrumental backup and then transitioned to a jazzy love song before returning to classic Christmas carols and joke telling. Walker talked throughout the show as if the audience was having an intimate holiday party in his living room. Greg Walker grew up with Motown which he played tribute to with old school hits before telling us about the famous guitarist Carlos Santana that he toured and recorded with. Walker gave us a taste of his Santana days with platinum hits that included “Black Magic Woman.” Greg Walker did share the limelight with TC Campbell, Paul Cerra, and Bill Kilpatrick by having piano, sax, and guitar solos to the audience’s delight. The Charlie Brown Christmas Theme song was played, and there was a “Jingle Bells” sing-a-long which got the audience grooving and rocking in their seats after Walker promoted his Christmas CD that as he stated, “had his lovely picture on it.” Greg Walker made a point of giving, “Thanks to the Lord for all of his talents,” and said that, “The Lord keeps giving him more.” Walker thanked the audience for coming and connected with several members of the audience as he walked around with his microphone shaking hands at the end of the show leaving Christmas cheer on holiday spirited faces.
To learn more about the Old Town Music Hall go to the official website www.otmh.org or call 310-322-2592 for a reservation to the New Year Eve’s party. To hear a sneak sample of Greg Walker singing “She’s Not There” or to find out where he will perform next or more about his CD’s go to www.gregwalker.com.
