Walter O White
Born 2 JULY 1955 Biloxi Mississippi USA
Walter knew at age 5 he wanted and dreamed of being a professional musician/percussionist.
His father, Walter White Jr., was active duty Air Force which afforded Walter travel across Europe and the US. Walter's mother,
Dr. Mary Jennie White, was an active musician and teacher. Walter's music studies began on piano with his mother in the 4th
grade. While in the 5th grade Walter wrote a paper for English class stating he dreamed of playing timpani with the New York
Philharmonic, who would have guessed he would end up calling as a friend Arnie Lang (retired percussionist with the New York
Phil. In 1967 Walter began study on percussion with Johnny Swafford in Wichita Falls Texas.
Early
on with the dedication to play and practice every moment he could Walter began winning competitions from the 7th grade in
Middle School Region Band as Timpanist and 8th as percussionist.
Over
time Walter would study with the great players and teachers such as Al Payson (Chicago Symphony), Joe Morello (Dave Bribeck
Qt), Roy Haynes (Jazz player), Frank Arsenault (Undefeated Rudimental Champion), Dr Frank MacAurthur, Bobby Houston, Mike
Rosen (Oberlin Conservatory), and Cloyd Duff (Cleveland Orch).
Walter's
background is deep in performance from 7th and 8th grade he performed with gospel groups and recorded his first record with
Lee Castro in his 8th grade year.
1970 Walter made the Texas district
and Region bands as a 9th grader. His 10th, 11th, and 12th grade years were in Alabama where he made the top Honor "RED" All
State Band. The 10th grade foun him 4th chair out of 12 seniors and his 11th and 12th he made 1st chair.
Listed
in WHOs WHO Among High School Students in 1974. Awarded his local school "GOLDENBERG" scholarship which he took to Memphis
State University.
1974-79 found Walter traveling the state of Texas
playing clubs and recording projects.
1979 Walter joined the US Air
Force Band of the West where he was featured as soloist with the Dimensions in Blue Jazz Big Band.
1982
reassigned to Europe (Germany) with the USAFE (US Air Force Band in Europe) where again he traveled Europe as a featured soloist.
1984 reassigned to the NATO (CINCSOUTH) Band in Naples Italy again traveling mostly
Italy as a featured soloist and written up in many Italian papers for his ability to play with the best of the best on Jazz
Festival stages.
Mid 1986 reassigned to the USAFE Band. Played for
the crowned heads of Europe to include the Queen of England, The Prince of Sweden, The Prince of Morocco and to include playing
for the Pope in the Vatican City. Some great halls Walter has performed in include Verdi Hall and St Marks Square in Venice
Italy, Berlin Phil Hall, Prince Albert Hall, England and Carnegie Hall.
1991
Reassigned to Lackland AFB San Antonio Texas and retired there in 1995. During his time at Lackland Walter started the emphasis
on MIDI electronics and lead a small group performing music of Don Ellis at the Corpus Christi Jazz Festival. His decorations
include 3 AF Commendation medals and one Joint Service Commendation Medal. Also the most prized decoration is his Meritorious
Mast from the Marine Corps for participation in the burial of the Marines killed in Beirut Lebanon in 1983. The Marines killed
were from the Naples Marine Barracks.
Now located in San Antonio
Texas, Walter is presently writing 2 educational books and his own music while teaching.
Walter
has performed in his career with the likes of Dianne Schurr, Bob Florence, Fred Fennell, Morton Gould, Claude Smith, Ron Nelson,
Louie Bellson, Walter Cronkite, The Coasters, The Drifters, Sammy Nestico, and such Broadway shows as "Stop the World I Want
To Get Off", "Jacque Brell is Alive and Well, Living in Paris", Titanic, Chorus Line, The Wizard of OZ, Man Of La Mancha (with
Robert Goulet). His recording credits include many recordings with all the military bands assigned to from Concert Band material
to Jazz and Rock. Walter in 1996 recorded his first cd called "Winds of Time".
