acqui Walker was born in Amityville, Long Island, to parents of West Indian/Belizean 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 Penny’s “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 with Rabbit in the Moon for a compilation CD. After its release, she joined the bands Grin and Children of the Beat and gigged all over Southern Florida. Damon Batiste invited Grin 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. During her time in Los Angeles, Jacqui has also frequently performed as a studio musician on numerous tracks for local producers such as Fatal Instinct, Josh Kramon, Polar Bear and All Day Sucker. Jacqui has recently graduated with and MBA in Business from the University of Phoenix and currently lives in Austin, TX where she moved to continue her pursuit of her dream. Jacqui’s influences include Little Jimmy Scott, Billie Holiday, Etta James, Nina Simone, Tina Turner, Jimmy Hendrix, Janice Joplin, Terrence Trent DArby, Ani DiFranco, Sunkansie, and Tracy Chapman.

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