Walter Bishop Jr.

October 4, 1927 – January 24, 1998

Pianist Walter Bishop, Jr. was born April 10, 1927 in New York City.

The son of a composer, in high school Bishop’s friends included Kenney Drew, Sonny Rollins and Art Taylor.

Bishop began his professional career after serving in World War II. He recorded and toured with Charlie Parker, Art Taylor, Miles Davis and more.

In the ’60’s Bishop led his own trio with Jimmy Garrison and G.T. Hogan while studying music at the Juliard School.

Influenced by the piano styles of Bud Powell, Art Tatum, and Nat King Cole he first began appearing in Manhattan clubs in 1947.

Walter played and recorded with the bands of many top jazz men in the 1950s, including those of Charlie Parker, Art Blakey, and Miles Davis.

In the late 1960s he attended The Juilliard School and would teach theory at colleges in the Los Angles area throughout the 1970s.

While continuing to lead his own groups Walter Bishop Jr. performed with Clark Terry’s bands in 1977 and began teaching at the University of Hartford in the early ’80s.

Walter Bishop JR. performs on Danish TV during the 1960s.

Personnel:

Walter Bishop Jr., piano
Tommy Potter, bass
Kenny Clarke, drums
Howard McGhee, trumpet
Jay Jay Johnson, trombone
Sonny Stitt, alto sax