Jazz drummer, Walter Perkins on Jamaica, Queens will be honored on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 at Carmichael's Dinner located at 117-08 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, Jamaica, New York 11434 in the basement by the Creative Jazz Organization at 8:00P.M. A plaque honoring 35 years of distinguished service to the CJO will be awarded to Walter Perkins. Walter Perkins has been a teacher and mentor to many drum and percussion students, and also has been featured on many famous jazz recordings. Originally from Chicago, Walter Perkins came here with a jazz group that featured jazz pianists Harold Mabern, Jr and others. It should be noted that Walter Perkins has been suffering from a battle with lung cancer and is presently under treatment. Walter Perkins also has done many gigs in the New York Area and has played with jazz pianist Hank Johnson, Hank Edmonds, Horace Parlan, and many other great people. In 1968 Walter Perkins worked at the Pines Hotel in South Fallsburgh, New York with a wonderful jazz group that featured the late Eddie Barnes & Vicki Barnes and Hank Edmonds. It has been speculated that the cause of lung cancer is longterm exposure to second hand smoke from the clubs that had very poor ventilation in the older days when smoking was allowed anywhere without restrictions. Walter Perkins is presently resting at home, and has not done any engagements but remains optimistic he will return and get better. -30-
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