Walter Perkins

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Walter Perkins was an energetic jazz drummer who provided solid beats for performers such as Sonny Rollins, Charles Mingus, and Lucky Thompson. His career was launched by Ahmad Jamal in 1956 and he soon began performing as a studio musician for the Argo and Vee-Jay labels. He recorded heavily during the 1960s on albums for Billy Taylor, Clark Terry, Sonny Stitt, and the vibraphonist Dave Pike. Walter was also a kind and friendly person who always took the time to answer a young drummer's questions or to show them a rhythm to practice.