 To understand his music is to understand Wali Ali. As a young boy, according to his Mom, Wali knew exactly what he wanted to do. In an interview with the Omaha Star, a local newspaper in Wali's hometown, his mother recalled how he would sneak out of the house to hang out with the local musicians, who were three times his age. During this time he met Richard Gardner, a guitar player. Richard saw so much potential in Wali. He started teaching him techniques in playing guitar. Upon receiving information regarding Wali's father, who passed away 6 months after he was born, Richard took him under his wing, not just as a talented young boy with a burning desire to play guitar, but as a son. Truly Richard Gardner is the only father Wali has ever known.
Being one who wanted to perfect his craft Wali worked hard to master the guitar, and that he did. By the early 70's Wali had come into his own as a vocalist. Wali's passion to do greater things was becoming more obvious. He packed his hopes, dreams, guitar, and determination, and boarded a Greyhound bus to the West Coast. He was ready to make his dream a reality.
Shortly thereafter, Wali began working with Aretha Franklin under the musical direction of H.B. Barnum. Wali, by now, was the guitarist most sought after. On Rick James's Bustin Out of L-Seven Wali was featured guitarist. On Teena Marie's Wild and Peaceful, and Patrice Rushen's Forget Me Not, Wali was featured vocalist and guitarist.
Listen to Wali Ali, hear the soulful, hear the spiritual, hear the moral and social issues immersed through his music. Wali is a man whose inner feelings of love ring out to all humanity. A man G'd has blessed to set the new direction in music.
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