Mark Walker and the Rhythm of the Americas Trio featuring Ernesto Diaz and Marcus Santos
World Showcase Concert
Friday, 3:00 p.m.

Grammy award-winning drummer/percussionist/composer/educator Mark Walker was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He began playing drumset at age 10, and at age 16 studied with the “Dean of Percussion” Roy C. Knapp until Knapp’s death in 1979. He played his first professional club, concert, and recording gigs barely out of high school. He gained valuable experience performing an extremely wide range of styles in the Chicago area and later became a first-call session drummer and percussionist, playing on film scores, jingles and record dates. He also began a two-year stint with Lyle Mays, touring the U.S. and Europe. While still living in Chicago in the 1990’s, he began a long stint with sax/clarinet virtuoso Paquito D’Rivera, which continues to this day. He has played on many of Paquito’s records, including “Funk Tango” (Grammy award winner in 2008 for best Latin jazz album), “Tropicana Nights”(Latin Grammy winner), and “Portraits of Cuba” (Grammy Winner), among many others.

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