#483 Mark Walker- Grammy Winning Drummer, Educator, Composer and More!
This week’s guest is Mark Walker! Drummer, composer and educator Mark Walker has been one of the most respected names on the jazz scene for four decades. He has performed on five continents with some of the best musicians in the world and appears on over 75 recordings, including two Grammy Award-winning albums, four Latin Grammy-winning albums, seven Grammy-nominated albums and one Latin Grammy-nominated album.
Growing up in a family of artists in the urban jungle of Chicago’s Old Town in the 1960’s, Walker was exposed to a wide variety of music and art from an early age. He gravitated toward jazz in his teens, and was fortunate enough to hear many legends like Buddy Rich, Max Roach, Elvin Jones and Art Blakey live. At age 16, he took his first lessons with the “Dean of Percussion,” Roy C. Knapp, whose students included Gene Krupa, Louie Bellson and Hal Blaine. Knapp’s lessons in music theory, harmony and percussion hit Walker like a lightning bolt, and inspired him to become a professional musician right out of high school.
With a stubborn single-mindedness, he sidestepped the college route and moved away from home at age 17. Immediately, he began cutting his teeth as a working musician. He paid his dues around Chicago, and within a few years, became one of the most sought-after drummers in town, working with all kinds of ensembles from trio to big band. He performed with musicians like Howard Levy, Tommy Ponce, Johnny Frigo, Jazz Members Big Band, Buddy Childers Big Band, Patricia Barber, Akio Sasajima, and Made In Brasil. This gave him the foundation and inspiration he needed to advance his career.
He found himself working with men and women of all stripes, playing a wide variety of styles as his career began taking on a multicultural and multidirectional path. He fell in love with the rhythm and sounds of swing, funk, rock, ECM, the Caribbean and South America, while learning the repertoire of jazz, blues and Brazilian MPB. One of Walker’s first jazz record dates was with the legendary saxophonist Joe Henderson on an album by guitarist Akio Sasajima entitled “Akio and Joe Henderson.” He also recorded several albums with pianist Patricia Barber in the 1980’s, as well as with pianist Fred Simon. He also formed a duo with guitarist David Onderdonk, incorporating percussion and electronics, which he would later use with Oregon.
Eventually, he became an in-demand studio player, performing on albums and jingles by day, and jazz gigs by night. In 1989, his life changed when Paquito D’Rivera and Claudio Roditi came to Chicago for a week’s engagement, and needed a band that could handle both jazz and Latin styles. Pianist Howard Levy recruited Walker, and he and D’Rivera found a natural chemistry. At the end of the engagement, D’Rivera offered Walker the gig. The next 30 years would be a musical and cultural adventure for Walker, touring the world, recording with and eventually writing for D’Rivera. They recorded over 15 albums together, many of which won Grammy and Latin Grammy awards, such as “Funk Tango,” the first record to feature one of Walker’s compositions, entitled “What About That.” He was featured with D’Rivera in the film “Calle 54”(Miramax).
He performed as a guest artist with D’Rivera’s quintet with many orchestras and bands around the world such as the WDR and NDR big bands, the National Symphony Orchestra and many more abroad. Musicians from around the world came through Paquito’s ensemble during Walker’s tenure, such as guests Dizzy Gillespie, Yo Yo Ma, Rosa Passos, Arturo Sandoval, Bebo Valdez, Claudio Roditi and many more.
In the early 1990’s Walker toured the US, South America and Europe and recorded with legendary pianist/composer Lyle Mays (Pat Metheny Group) in a quartet featuring bassist Marc Johnson and saxophonist Bob Sheppard. This experience refined Walker’s musicianship, challenging and influencing him on a deep level in his performance and compositionally – which would later show itself in his future writing. At the suggestion of pianist Michel Camilo, Walker relocated to New York in 1995 and immediately got the gig with The Caribbean Jazz Project, featuring Paquito D’Rivera, Dave Samuels and Andy Narell. The band was similar to an international trade school, performing and arranging music using authentic rhythms of the Caribbean and South America in a jazz context. Members of the band were steeped in virtually all Latin American and Caribbean styles.
Shortly after that, Walker replaced Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez in the Michel Camilo trio, which included bassists Anthony Jackson and James Genus. He worked with Camilo extensively for two years, touring and recording special projects including his trio and big band. Camilo’s music and concept pushed Walker to grow technically as well as musically, and Walker still works with Camilo as a sub on occasion.
While living in New York, Walker worked extensively inthe groups of Brazilian pianists Eliane Elias and Cesar Camargo Mariano, touring in the US, Europe and South America. In 1996, Pat Metheny Group bassist/producer Steven Rodby hired Walker to record with legendary world jazz group Oregon, featuring Ralph Towner, Paul McCandless and Glen Moore. At the end of the session, Towner offered Walker the gig, and a 23-year musical adventure began. He toured with the group in Europe, Asia, the U.S. and South America, recording eight albums, including three of his own compositions.
One of those compositions, “Deep Six,” earned Walker a Grammy Award nomination in the category of “best instrumental composition” at the 50th annual Grammy awards. Working with Towner was the ultimate lesson in composition, musicality and dynamics. Towner offered Walker a challenge to go deeper as a musician and composer. Walker expanded his setup to include hand percussion and electronics and developed his improvisational and writing skills further with the group.
In 2001, Walker joined the percussion faculty at Berklee and in 2005 moved to Boston. He authored the book “World Jazz Drumming” (Hal Leonard), and created curriculum at the school and online. He built a recording studio at his home and began producing his own music. In 2016, he felt he needed to refine his skills and re-define himself, so he enrolled in Berklee Online as a student and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies. Studying composition, arranging, songwriting, music production and music business, he graduated in Spring 2019 (Summa Cum Laude), and used these new skills to find his voice and take charge of his own career.
After recording his music at Berklee’s studios with some of the top players on the NY/Boston scene, Walker released his first record as a leader, “You Get What You Give,” featuring special guest Paquito D’Rivera. The album, released on his own Fliposphere Music label in 2019, was critically acclaimed and reached #42 on Jazz Week, #14 on Roots Music Report and the top ten on the NACC radio charts. Innerviews’ Anil Prasad wrote, “I'm a huge admirer of Oregon jazz group and its extended family's output. The band's drummer, Mark Walker, has an excellent debut solo album that was just released titled 'You Get What You Give.' It's a kinetic and engaging effort that combines jazz and Afro-Latin approaches, featuring the great Paquito D'Rivera. Mark steps to the fore with a focus on creative original works, as well as imaginative arrangements of Wayne Shorter's "Speak No Evil," John Coltrane's "Moment's Notice" and Thelonious Monk's "Bye-Ya." Mark is one of the finest drummers working on the planet and one of the most important voices in the genre. Jazz fans worldwide will get a lot out of this hugely-enjoyable release.” Encouraged by the success of his first solo album, Walker embarked on a new musical journey studying as a Masters student at UMass Amherst. After majoring in jazz composition/arranging and studying with Professor Jeffery Holmes and Dr. Felipe Salles, he graduated in May 2022.
Three days after graduating, he got the call from trumpeter Arturo Sandoval to join his band. He traveled to Europe, South America, Canada, the Caribbean and across the USA with Sandoval and the band before his departure in March 2024.
He is in the process of writing and arranging a big band record with an ensemble he calls the “World Jazz Orchestra,” which will be recorded later in 2024. He is also producing recordings with smaller groups, including a quartet featuring legendary saxophonist George Garzone. Walker performs on a new album project with guitarist Akio Sasajima, trumpeter Randy Brecker and guest Will Lee, entitled “Silence Between the Notes.”
Mark Walker is a Yamaha, Paiste, Remo, Vic Firth, Meinl and Prologix Artist. He currently teaches at Berklee College of Music, Berklee Online and New England Conservatory.
R.I.P.
R.I.P. to the legend and friend of the show, James Gadson. -Article
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Bruno Esrubilsky! Bruno is an Argentine born-Brazilian raised drummer and percussionist based in Brooklyn, NYC.
Graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Bruno moved to New York in 2011. Since then, Bruno has toured every continent of the world, played drums on the hit Broadway show Hedwig and The Angry Inch (4x Tony Awards winner), appeared on many TV shows (credit list below), has performed at festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Java Jazz Festival (Indonesia), Fuji Rock Festival (Japan) and legendary concert venues such as Radio City Music Hall (NYC), Red Rocks Amphitheater, Ryman Auditorium (Nashville), Kennedy Center (DC), Central Park SummerStage (NYC) and The Filmore (San Francisco). Recording credits include records in the USA, Japan, Argentina and Brazil (more in MUSIC section).
Bruno has played on countless headlining and supporting tours (including Lorde, Adam Lambert, Amos Lee, Grouplove, Neon Trees and more). During the Fall 2018, Bruno wrapped MITSKI’s sold out Be The Cowboy 2018 Europe/North America Tour, including a 4 night sold out stint at Brooklyn Steel.
Throughout 2019, Bruno toured the world twice over with indie-rocker Mitski, performing at some of the world’s biggest stages and festivals, while also touring on the side with Jake Clemons of Bruce Springsteen’s band and performing with British artist YUNGBLUD. Bruno also taped Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, with Mitski, which aired on January 18th 2020; and was featured on the September issue of Modern Drummer Magazine.
Happy Birthday to Rob Humphreys! Originally from New Mexico, Rob currently lives in Los Angeles and has quite the impressive list of professional credits having played and/or recorded with Billy Ray Cyrus, Celine Dion, Karon O, Kacey Musgraves, Leonard Cohen, Theo Katzman, Elle King, Scary Pockets and MANY MORE.
Happy Birthday to Bruce Becker! Spanning more than four decades as an educator, Master Teacher Bruce Becker has been bringing forward unique concepts in developing “The Flow”! Drawing from his more than thirty-year association with drumming guru Freddie Gruber, Bruce is carrying on the torch of a unique approach in getting the student to understand the natural principles of the physical body’s interaction with the drum set.
Through the years Top Drummers like David Garibaldi, Tris Imboden, Mark Schulman, Daniel Glass, Glen Sobel, Tim Carman and many more have sought his guidance.
Bruce Becker co-led the David Becker Tribune for 35 years recording 10 CDs. He has performed/recorded with Ron Carter, Mike Stern, Russell Ferrante, Barbara Dennerlein, John Abercrombie, producer Ken Caillat, Frank Gambale and many others.
Bruce has conducted master classes all over the world and most recently has been a regular contributor to Drumeo creating the very successful Drum Technique Made Easy course. He is the author of “Puzzles, Rhymes and Riddles” (Hudson) and the DVD “Concepts and Philosophies” (Hudson).
His latest book released through Hudson Music, “The Ultimate Guide to Syncopation”, is an in depth guide to the classic book “Syncopation“ by Ted Reed to achieve fluidity of movement, phrasing and independence.
“What’s the difference if you don’t know the difference?” Experience the difference!
Happy Birthday to Randy Schrager! Randy was the touring and studio drummer for electro dance-pop band Scissor Sisters, known on stage as ‘Randy Real’. He can be heard on the band’s release Night Work and he toured the world with the band in support of the album. Randy has also toured and recorded with critically acclaimed New York rocker Jesse Malin and his band The St. Marks Social, playing drums on his release Love It To Life. When not on the road, Randy can be found playing and recording with a number of independent artists in the NYC area.
Happy Birthday to Karl Perazzo! Karl Perazzo is Santana's percussionist who worked with Carlos Santana alongside percussionist Raul Rekow and drummer Dennis Chambers, Herby Hancock and Jason Mraz among others.
Karl Perazzo since the age of 2 has played some kind of drum or other. At age 7 he played in a band that his mother and father formed. From there he became unstoppable and went on to play with Cal Tjader while only in the 6th grade.
Karl Perazzo, born and raised in San Francisco's Mission District, has gone on to play with the best in Pop, Jazz, Rock and Latin Music. The self-taught musician is currently playing with the Santana Band. He has recorded 3 albums with Santana, one being a Live album in South America.
He has also recorded and played with Malo, Jorge Santana, Cal Tjader, Dizzy Gilespie, Andy Narrel, Ray Obiedo, Tom Coster, Pete and Coke Escovedo, Dennis Chambers, Sheila E., The Artist, Mariah Carey, Paquito D' Rivera and is on the latest John Lee Hooker album.
Karl Perazzo has also sat in with the best in Latin Music, such as Tito Puente, Machete, Ruben Blades and others. Perazzo is not only known nationally, but internationally as well. He is known to have recorded with some of the best acts in Japan and Italy.
In addition to all of the above, Karl has also performed on an array of TV shows, such as American Bandstand, Soul Train, Solid Gold, Jay Leno, Johnny Carson, David Letterman, The Grammies, The American Music Awards, and was the first percussionist to be invited to sit in with The Arsenio Hall Show house band on more than one occasion, and to perform on his 100th show.
Aside from all this Perazzo still finds the time to travel the country doing clinics for the Latin Percussion Music Group. He strongly believes that the knowledge he has is not his to keep, but to be shared with people around the world!
Gig Alerts
Friend of the show, Matthew Lau has a residency coming up in Boston, MA on May 2nd at 7pm at CHROMA.
Snarky Puppy has The Rabbit Hole experience coming to Tarrytown, NY Aug 3-6. Friend of the show, Nate Werth will be involved as well.
The NY Percussion Series started by friend of the show, Michael Sgouros, will have another concert in the west village part of NYC on April 28th at 7pm featuring friend of the show, Valerie Naranjo.
Damon will be on tour playing percussion with Ziggy Marley this summer and fall.
Educational Spotlight
There are upcoming Days of Percussion happening for the month of April.
If you are interested in joining one of the 17 committees for the Percussive Arts Society, the opening to submit your application is from April 1st-30th.
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording was chosen by Mark Walker. It is “All or Nothing at All” performed by Frank Sinatra. Arranged by Nelson Riddle from the album, ‘Strangers in the Night’. Hal Blaine is the drummer on this track.
Music News
The first clip for music news is what one artist had to deal with when her music was commandeered by A.I.
The next bit of music news is what some artists of color are dealing with when interacting with A.I.
Mark Walker Interview
The song leading into the interview is, “Deep Six” by Oregon (the band) from the album, ‘1000 Kilometers’
The interview starts with Damon recounting the interactions he first had with Mark at the Silvermine Tavern in Norwalk, CT with Dave Samuels.
Mark talks about Dave Samuels and how he got the Caribbean Jazz Project gig.
Shout-out to Hilary Noble.
Mark grew up in Chicago. Shout-out to Joe Rendon.
Mark played with Larry Novak. His son Gary (Novak) subbed for him.
Mark got his first degree from Berklee College of Music and his masters at UMass Amherst.
Shout-out to Jeff Holmes and Felipe Salles.
Shout-out to Daniel Feldman.
Mark talks about playing with Michel Camilo.
Mark talks about the difference in playing with Lyle Mays.
Mark talks about learning other rhythms and mentions, “Wamba” by Salif Keita.
Damon mentions the Dizzy Gillespie United Nations Band with friend of the show Giovanni Hidalgo on percussion.
Damon mentions the Calle 54 documentary.
Mark mentions his favorite part of the documentary.
Damon mentions the cajon documentary. This is PART 2.
Mark has a new education course that he explains.
Mark talks about his upcoming gig playing the music of Hermeto Pascoal at Scullers Jazz Club with the group Triad +.
Damon mentions Mark playing with the band Oregon as well as his recent hand injury.
Mark does martial arts as well.
Shout-out to Lyle Mays and Pierre Piscitelli.
Shout-out to Ralph Towner.
Mark mentions Jan Hammer and Jack DeJohnette on the tune “Lungs” with John Abercrombie.
Damon mentions the book that Mark wrote, “World Jazz Drumming”
Mark mentions the album, “Together” with Oregon (the band) and Elvin Jones and Collin Wolcott.
Mark picks the iconic recording for the week.
Shout-out to friend of the show Adam Nussbaum.
Mark uses Paiste Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, Yamaha Drums, Vic Firth Drumsticks and Mallets, ProLogix Pads, Meinl Percussion, and shout-out to Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory.
Shout-out to Roy C. Knapp, Joel Spencer, Henrique De Almeida, and Steve Rodby.
Damon mentions friend of the show, Justin Faulkner.
You can follow Mark on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
The song leading out of the interview is, “What About That?” performed by the Paquito D'Rivera band from the album, ‘Funk Tango’.
