Bio
Beginning at age 7 with piano lessons, drummer, composer, teacher, arranger and vocalist Kermit Walker became serious about drums at age 11. He credits his mother with requiring him to learn music theory as he learned drumming rudiments. His first teacher was Mike Englander. With this solid background in place, Kermit gained acceptance and studied at two of jazz education’s premier institutions: Berklee College of Music and Cleveland Institute of Music. Renowned drummer Alan Dawson and teacher at Berklee set an example of “playing drums like a symphony instrument. Also, his discipline in practice showed me how a musician should constantly evolve.”
Prior to this continuation of formal study, and just following high school graduation, Kermit had earned the drum chair in the touring band of Jazz Hall of Fame pianist Johnny O’Neal. Says O’Neal, “Kermit was the last to audition, and we hired him immediately because he had that feel. The same day we went on the road and he became a great asset to the band.”
Kermit’s “coming from a musical family” has contributed to his development. His uncle is the esteemed vocalist Jimmy Scott. One of many treasured memories is a special appearance he made as Uncle Jimmy’s drummer at Catalina’s in Los Angeles in 1992. “Jimmy was friends with Billie Holiday, and his performance career goes back 50 years. Few musicians know the roots of jazz as he does. I thank Jimmy for passing to me the skill of presentation and communication with the audience."
Subsequent jazz icons have invited Kermit to perform or be a group member. Just a few: Milt Jackson, Wynton and Bradford Marsalis, Ray Brown, Nancy Wilson, Russell Malone, Jimmy Smith, Stevie Wonder, Wallace Roney (a Berklee classmate), Cyrus Chestnut, Randy Johnston, and Donald Harrison. Kermit also is grateful to have played with other jazz musicians whose name recognition may be less but whose virtuosity is apparent: Claude Black, Carl (Ace) Carter, Lamar Gaines, and Terry Timmons (his Aunt).
Kermit excels in developing a musical conversation with band mates. Combined with his vibrant, yet subtle, rhythms and finely crafted technique, this emphasis on interaction draws fellow musicians to him. Pianist Kevin Bales: “Kermit loves to swing. He plays for the feeling of the music at all times, supporting everyone. He never shows off his chops unless it’s what the music needs.” This consideration is reflected in Kermit’s expression of the most important qualities that a jazz musician can have: “dedication; tenacity; keep the ego in check; realize that you’re a vehicle for the music…”