Walter Cano is a Seattle-based trumpet player and educator active across the city’s jazz community. As a performer, he works in settings ranging from small-group straight-ahead jazz to large ensemble and contemporary projects. His credits include a Grammy-nominated collaboration with the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, the premiere of *The Big Blind* with Kurt Elling and the Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band, and a performance with Audra McDonald for *Black, Brown and Beige* at the Dr. Phillips Center. Walter’s experience also includes Broadway’s *Be More Chill*, as well as regular work in the Pacific Northwest with the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra and appearances at venues such as Benaroya Hall and The 5th Avenue Theatre.

Walter brings a sound-first approach to the instrument and a practical, rehearsal-ready musicianship that translates directly to student growth. His teaching emphasizes the fundamentals that support real-world playing: tone production, articulation, range and endurance, time feel, reading, style, and improvisation grounded in listening and vocabulary building.

As an instructor at Seattle Jazz Academy, Walter’s priority is to meet students where they are and help them build the skills to thrive in lessons, combos, auditions, and performances, while staying connected to the history and community that make this music matter.