Legendary bassist Walter Booker passes

Jazz bassist Walter Booker died at his Manhattan, New York home on Friday. He was 72. The double bass legend performed with a number of jazz greats and mentored young musicians at his Boogie Woogie Studio in New York City. He began his music career after leaving the US Army and joined a quintet which caught the attention of jazz legend Cannonball Adderly.

Booker’s playing was marked by voice-like inflections, glissandos and tremolo techniques. In his long career, Booker played with a long list of jazz giants including Sonny Rollins, Ray Bryant, Art Farmer, Milt Jackson, Chick Corea, Thelonius Monk, Sarah Vaughan, and John Hicks. For 15 years, he also ran a free studio where young musicians were able to learn and were free to explore their creativity. He was married to pianist Bertha Hope. Source: PR Inside.