Please confirm: Walter Perkins RIP?

[clifford_thornton]

I just read a post on another board that the wonderful drummer Walter "MJT" Perkins had just passed. If so, that's truly sad.

He'd gone from playing soul-jazz to free, a truly all-encompassing career. He'll be missed. May he rest in peace.

Any thoughts on Walter from the peanut gallery?

[ghost of miles]

I just read a post on another board that the wonderful drummer Walter "MJT" Perkins had just passed. If so, that's truly sad.

He'd gone from playing soul-jazz to free, a truly all-encompassing career. He'll be missed. May he rest in peace.

Any thoughts on Walter from the peanut gallery?

That's sad if true, esp. coming right on the heels of Gil Coggins. I just discovered the MJT two or three years ago & have enjoyed Perkins' work elsewhere as well.

[JSngry]

Dead or not, BOB'S PINK CADILLAC is appropriate listening right about now.

[Dr. Rat]

Does anyone have any confirmation on Walter Perkins?

I see someone even posted a service time & date on 52nd St.

I'd like to do a show on him, but I'd like to clear up the details on this rumor first.

--eric

[maren]

Sadly, appears to be true. The pianist Hank Johnson had been posting updates on (can I say it?) AAJ -- that Walter Perkins was being treated for cancer, then hospitalized with a stroke on Feb. 1, and passed away on Feb. 14.

From Johnson's own website, posted shortly before Perkins died:

Our friend Walter Perkins is presently in the hospital undergoing treatment for some very serious medical conditions.  A world  renowned jazz drummer, he first became known in the 1950s, when he was located in Chicago.  There, he formed the group MJT+III.  He went on to perform and record with the likes of  Ahmad Jamal, Sonny Rollins, Carmen McRae, Art Farmer, Teddy Wilson, and George Shearing, to mention only a few of the jazz greats he has been associated with.  He has our best wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery.

The Creative Jazz Organization decided to give Walter Perkins a plaque and tribute for 35 years of dedication and service.  On January 21, 2004 at Carmichael's Diner in Jamaica, NY the presentation was made.

Here's a photo  (taken by Hank Johnson) of Walter accepting the award:

[Dr. Rat]

That's too bad. I just mention MJT+3 in passing on another thread the other day.

Discovering these guys was one of the great revelations of my tenure as Jazz MD: Why hadn't I ever heard of these guys?!

It'll be fun doing the show on Perkins, though.

Any recommendations on tracks we should definitely hit would be appreciated.

--eric

[couw]

RIP...

his playing with Kirk was my first exposure to the man, the MJT came way later. Have always enjoyed this music.

[agriffith]

Walter Perkins was a great SWINGING drummer! A great example of his playing is on the Carmen McRae Jazz Casual video. God Bless Walter Perkins.

[mikeweil]

Sorry to hear this. An excellent swinging drummer whose playing I always enjoyed. RIP

[brownie]

From the wires report today:

Walter Perkins

NEW YORK (AP) _ Jazz drummer Walter Perkins, who played with such musical figures as Charles Mingus, Sonny Rollins and Ahmad Jamal, died Feb. 14. He was 72.

The cause was lung cancer, said his wife, Barbara Perkins.

Born in Chicago, he was a leader of the jazz group MJT + 3, which recorded a self-titled album in 1959. After the group disbanded in 1962, Perkins moved to New York and began playing with musicians such as Mingus, Jamal, Gene Ammons and Carmen McRae.

He appeared on dozens of albums; one of his most recent appearances was with William Parker, with whom he recorded "Bob's Pink Cadillac" (2002).

In the 1970s and 1980s he taught drum classes at Girls and Boys High School in the city's Brooklyn borough. He continued to teach and play in local clubs until shortly before his death.

[king ubu]

Thanks for posting this, brownie. Finally we know.

Still sad news!

Will spin some of his dates with Art Farmer as soon as I can.

ubu

[Brad]

There's an obituary in today's New York Times. Unfortunately, I don't subsribe to the on line version. Perhaps someone can post it.

[Dr. Rat]

Walter Perkins, 72, Drummer, Is Dead; Played With Top Jazz Artists

By BEN RATLIFF

Published: March 1, 2004

Walter Perkins, a jazz drummer who played with major artists including Ahmad Jamal and Carmen McRae, and was part of a band in the early 1960's called the MJT +3, died on Feb. 14. He was 72.

The cause was lung cancer, said his wife, Barbara Perkins.

A busy sideman with a strong and light sense of swing, he left Chicago, his hometown, for New York in 1965. He is probably best known for a hard-bop record on which he was one of the leaders, "Walter Perkins' MJT +III," released on the Vee-Jay label in 1959. The group's name stood for Modern Jazz Two; Mr. Perkins and the bassist Bob Cranshaw were the two, and the three others were the trumpeter Willie Thomas, the alto saxophonist Frank Strozier and the pianist Harold Mabern.

After moving to New York, Mr. Perkins played and recorded with Gene Ammons, Charles Mingus, Sonny Rollins and George Shearing, among many others. In 2002 he made a comeback on a William Parker record, "Bob's Pink Cadillac" (Eremite).

From the 1970's to the late 1980's he taught drum-corps classes at Girls and Boys High School in Brooklyn. He later conducted classes and workshops in many New York City public schools, performing for young people through the arts-education group Young Audiences New York. In recent years he often played in Queens, where he lived, at clubs like Carmichael's, Brandy's and the Skylark Lounge, and he started his own drum corps at the Merrick Park Baptist Church in Jamaica.

In addition to his wife he is survived by his daughters Rochelle Mask of Baldwin, N.Y.; Denise Perkins of Brooklyn; and Marilyn Turns of Queens; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Edited March 1, 2004 by WNMC

[Dan Gould]

EDIT: When I checked, Brad, the Times hadn't posted the obit but I guess it has now.

Anyway, the MJT+3 was a fine band (and we can mostly thank that group for a good portion of the Frank Strozier that we have to enjoy) and I also recall that Eddie Higgins told me that the "first truly world-class rhythm section he ever worked with" was Walter Perkins and Bob Cranshaw. RIP.

Edited March 1, 2004 by Dan Gould

[Dr. Rat]

EDIT: When I checked, Brad, the Times hadn't posted the obit but I guess it has now.

Anyway, the MJT+3 was a fine band (and we can mostly thank that group for a good portion of the Frank Strozier that we have to enjoy) and I also recall that Eddie Higgins told me that the "first truly world-class rhythm section he ever worked with" was Walter Perkins and Bob Cranshaw. RIP.

Not up on the obit page, but available by searching. Also an AP obit.

--eric

[.:.impossible]

His passing was mentioned on CNN last week. I was surprised by the mention, but more surprised by his passing. He sounded great on Bob's Pink Cadillac, just months ago! A hell of a drummer that I have not heard enough of.