Walton, Charles

Charles Walton was born on July 7, 1925 in Selma, Alabama. At a young age, Walton moved to Chicago, settling on the south side in Bronzeville. He attended Douglas Grammar School and Wendell Phillips High School before joining the United States Navy. After a year of service, Walton attended Kentucky State College and Maryland State College completing his education at Roosevelt University where he received a BA and MA in Music Education.

Walton had a love for several instruments but specialized as a jazz drummer. During the 1960s, Walton formed a jazz trio with Eddie Harris and various singers, such as Roy Hamilton, Nina Simone, and Junior Waters.

As a music instructor in the Chicago Public School System, Walton taught at Grant Elementary School and Lyon and Healy Music School. In 1970, Walton became an Associate Professor of Music at Malcolm X College in Chicago.

He published at book entitled How to Play the Drums the Quick and Easy Way and was the author of two monthly columns featured on the Jazz Institute of Chicago’s website, including “Bronzeville Conversations.” Walton was an active member of the American Federation of Musicians.

Walton died on March 30, 2005.

From the guide to the Walton, Charles. Collection, circa 1930s-1940s, (Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.)