On Thursday, February 15th, 2004 jazz drummer Walter Perkins died (Valentine's Day 2004). The wake took place at the Merrick First Baptist Church, in South Jamaica, Queens, New York on Thursday, February 19th, 2004. Thousands of fans, friends, fellow musicians came out to say “Goodbye", to a legend. To name a few people: Jazz vocalists Mel Bliss, Myrna Lake, Kesha St John, and musicians Harold Mabern, Bob Cranshaw, Ed Stoute, Hank Johnson, Dave Carter, Enos Payne, “Cool Mike" Fitzbenjamin, Bernie Upson, Ray Mckinnley, many others. It was a packed house (even the upper balcony was full). This jazz drummer has touched the lives of many musicians and will be missed. The internment was a Calvary Cemetary in Calverton, Long Island on Friday, February 20th, 2004 after a brief 10:00A.M. Church ceremony. Walter is survived by his wife, Barbara, and children.
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