Woody Walder

Woody Walder, also spelled Woodie Walder (December 25, 1903—February 9, 1978) was an American Jazz musician who played tenor saxophone and clarinet in the Kansas City jazz scene. He worked with many famed jazz artists of the time, including the Bennie Moten Orchestra and Walder Brother's Swing Unit with his brother Herman Walder.

Woody Walder was born Woodrow Walder in Dallas, Texas, on December 25, 1903. He had a younger brother, Herman Walder (April 2, 1905—October 17, 1991), also a saxophonist and clarinetist.

Walder began his career in the mid-1920s in pianist Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra, playing trombone alongside LaForest Dent (banjo); Paul Webster, Ed Lewis, and Lammar Wright Sr. (trumpet); Jack Washington (alto and baritone saxophone); Willie McWashington and Willie Hall (drums); Count Basie (piano); and Vernon Page (tuba). He was heard on many of Moten's tracks, including "Kater Street Rag" and "Sister Honky" (1926); "Pass Out Lightly" and "Ding-dong" (1928); "Moten's Blues" and "Let's Get It" (1929); and "New Moten Stomp" and "Bouncin' Round" (1931).

Working with Moten's band, he also made records with Ada Brown and Mary H. Bradford.

After leaving Moten's group in 1931, he and his saxophonist brother Herman Walder formed Walder Brother's Swing Unit with Elbert "Coots" Dye (piano); Pete Johnson (piano); Bill Terry (vocals); Baby Lovett (drums); and Jack Johnson (bass). The band was well-received in Kansas City and played regularly for several years at many famous venues such as the Spinning Wheel, Lucille's Paradise, The Old Kentucky, and Vine Street Varieties, among others. They didn't make any recordings and only performed live in the city.

Between 1923 and 1931, Walder was involved in 23 recording sessions mostly with Moten's band.

Walder was married to Corrine L. Walder (1906–1986).

Walder died in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 9, 1978, at age 74.