About Earl Watkins
Lived 1920 – 2007 (aged 87). Earl Watkins was an American drummer.
Earl Thomas Watkins, Jr. (January 29, 1920, in San Francisco – July 1, 2007, in San Francisco) was an American jazz drummer.
Watkins was a percussionist in a United States Navy band during World War II, and returned to San Francisco after the war. He played with Wilbert Baranco in 1946 and did extensive work as a sideman and session musician in the 1950s, including with Kid Ory, Flip Phillips, Muggsy Spanier, and Bob Scobey. He joined Earl Hines's ensemble in San Francisco, touring and recording with him until 1961.
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Important facts
People in Earl Watkins's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Earl Watkins's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Earl Watkins?
American jazz musician
When was Earl Watkins born?
Earl Watkins was born on 29 January 1920 in San Francisco.
When did Earl Watkins die?
Earl Watkins died on 1 July 2007 in San Francisco.
What was Earl Watkins's occupation?
Earl Watkins was a drummer.
What nationality was Earl Watkins?
Earl Watkins was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Earl Watkins. https://biography.guide/earl-watkins/
MLA: "Earl Watkins." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/earl-watkins/.
Chicago: "Earl Watkins." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/earl-watkins/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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