Walter Perkins

Walter Perkins (b. Feb. 10, 1932, Chicago, Illinois - d. Feb. 14, 2004, Queens, New York) was an American jazz drummer. He was associated for most of his life with the Chicago jazz scene.

His first major gigs were with Ahmad Jamal in 1956-57. He recorded for Argo Records in 1957 as a leader under the name MJT+3, along with Paul Serrano on trumpet, Nicky Hill on tenor sax, Muhal Richard Abrams on piano and Bob Cranshaw on bass. In 1959, he regrouped under the same name with Willie Thomas on trumpet, Frank Strozier on alto sax, Harold Mabern on piano, and Cranshaw on bass; they recorded for Vee-Jay in 1959 and 1960 and played in Chicago until 1962.

He played with Sonny Rollins in 1962 and accompanied Carmen McRae in 1962-63. 1964 saw him playing with Art Farmer and Teddy Wilson. Following this Perkins remained mostly in Chicago, recording with George Shearing, Gene Ammons, Charles Mingus, Billy Taylor, Booker Ervin, Jaki Byard, Lucky Thompson, Pat Martino, Harold Mabern, Charles Earland, and others.

References

*Scott Yanow, [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:kifqxqy5ldke~T1 Walter Perkins] at Allmusic