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Mark Walker

Mark Walker

Education and Training

MM, University of Massachusetts Amherst and studied privately with Roy C. Knapp.

Awards and Recognition

Multi Grammy and Latin Grammy awards; Yamaha Legacy Award 2025

Mark Walker

Division: College

Department: Jazz Studies

Instrument: Drums

Mark Walker (b. 1961) is a Grammy/Latin Grammy Award-winning drummer, a Grammy Award-nominated composer, and a renowned author and educator originally from Chicago. Currently a member of Paquito D'Rivera's Quintet, he is one of the only American drummers equally at home with authentic South American and Caribbean rhythms, straight-ahead jazz, rock, funk and studio drumming. He also works occasionally with Michel Camilo and has his own Boston-based projects, such as triad (with Maxim lubarsky and oscar stagnaro).

Since 1989, he has performed around the world, touring extensively and/or recording with the group Oregon (with Ralph Towner), Paquito D’Rivera, Lyle Mays, Michel Camilo, Cesar Camargo Mariano, Randy Brecker, Steve Khan, Mike Mainieri, Andy Narell, Eliane Elias, the NDR bigband, the WDR bigband, the HR bigband and the Caribbean Jazz Project. He released his critically acclaimed debut album in 2019 entitled “You Get What You Give,” featuring Paquito D’Rivera, Alain Mallet, Oscar Stagnaro and many others. He is currently writing a big band project to be recorded in summer 2026. Walker is a Yamaha, Paiste, Vic Firth, Remo, Meinl and Prologix artist.

Curriculum Vitae

MM, University of Massachusetts Amherst and studied privately with Roy C. Knapp.

  • Multi Grammy and Latin Grammy awards; Yamaha Legacy Award 2025

Affiliated Departments and Programs

Jazz Studies