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Thurman Barker

b. 1948

American jazz drummer

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About Thurman Barker

Born 1948. Thurman Barker is an American jazz drummer, university teacher, percussionist and musician.

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)

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Jazz drummer, university teacher, percussionist, musician
Nationality
Education
American Conservatory of Music
Employers
Bard College

People in Thurman Barker's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Thurman Barker's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Thurman Barker?

American jazz drummer

When was Thurman Barker born?

Thurman Barker was born on 8 January 1948 in Chicago.

What is Thurman Barker's occupation?

Thurman Barker is a jazz drummer, university teacher, percussionist and musician.

What nationality is Thurman Barker?

Thurman Barker is American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Thurman Barker

· Wikidata: Q2430073

· DBpedia: Thurman Barker

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Thurman Barker. https://biography.guide/thurman-barker/

MLA: "Thurman Barker." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/thurman-barker/.

Chicago: "Thurman Barker." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/thurman-barker/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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