Thurman Barker

Thurman Barker (born January 8, 1948, Chicago, Illinois, United States) is an American jazz drummer.

Barker's first professional experience was at age sixteen with Mighty Joe Young. Barker took his bachelor's at Empire State College, then studied at the American Conservatory of Music under Harold Jones and at Roosevelt University. He next served as an accompanist for Billy Eckstine, Bette Midler, and Marvin Gaye.

Discography As leader The Way I Hear It (Uptee, 1999) Voyage (Uptee, 1999) Time factor (Uptee, 2001) Strike Force (Uptee, 2004) Rediscovered (Uptee, 2009)

As sideman With Muhal Richard Abrams Levels and Degrees of Light (Delmark, 1967) Young at Heart/Wise in Time (Delmark, 1969)

With Billy Bang The Fire from Within (Soul Note, 1984) Live at Carlos 1 (Soul Note, 1986)

With Anthony Braxton Seven Compositions 1978 (Moers Music, 1979) Creative Orchestra (Köln) 1978 (hatART, 1978, released 1995) Performance (Quartet) 1979 (hatART)

With Joseph Jarman Song For (Delmark, 1966) As If It Were the Seasons (Delmark, 1968)

With Sam Rivers Waves (Tomato, 1978) Contrasts (ECM, 1979) Braids (NoBusiness, 1979 )

With Cecil Taylor Live In Bologna (Leo, 1978) Live In Vienna (Leo, 1978) Olu Iwa (Soul Note, 1986)

other appearances : Pheeroan akLaff: Fits Like A Glove (Gramavision, 19839 Art Ensemble Of Chicago: Art Ensemble 1967-68 (Nessa) Jerome Cooper: Outer and Interactions (About Time, 1988) Leroy Jenkins : Themes & Improvisations on the Blues (CRI, 1992) John Lindberg: Dimension 5 (Black Saint, 1981) Maurice McIntyre: Humility in the Light of the Creator (Delmark, 1969) Roscoe Mitchell: Roscoe Mitchell (Chief, 1978) Butch Morris: Testament - A Conduction Collection (New World, 1988–95) Amina Claudine Myers: The Circle of Time (Black Saint, 1983) Wadada Leo Smith: Human Rights (Kabell, 1986)