Lawrence Benjamin Bunker (November 4, 1928 – March 8, 2005) was an American jazz drummer, vibraphonist, and percussionist. A member of the Bill Evans Trio in the mid-1960s, he also played timpani with the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra.

Biography

Born in Long Beach, California, Bunker was a central figure on the West Coast jazz scene, one of the relatively few who actually were from the region. In the 1950s and 1960s he appeared at Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, and performed with Shorty Rogers and His Giants and others. At first he played primarily drums, but increasingly he focused on vibraphone and was later highly regarded for his playing of timpani and various percussion instruments. A dependable and in-demand studio drummer and vibist, Bunker achieved particular distinction by recording with Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Diana Krall, and many other jazz greats. In 1952, he was the drummer in one of Art Pepper's first groups. In 1953 and 1954, Bunker played drums in some of the earliest of Gerry Mulligan's groups. From 1963 to 1965, he was, intermittently, the drummer in the Bill Evans trio. His work in movie soundtracks spanned over fifty years, from Stalag 17 (1953) and Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) to The Incredibles (2004), and included soundtracks by John Williams, Henry Mancini, Quincy Jones, Miklós Rózsa, Jerry Goldsmith, Johnny Mandel, Lalo Schifrin and many other composers. Bunker died of complications of a stroke in Los Angeles at age 76.

Discography

As Leader With Christina Aguilera With Chet Baker With Cheryl Bentyne With Michael Bolton With Pat Boone With Tim Buckley With Gary Burton With Benny Carter With Rosemary Clooney With Nat King Cole With Natalie Cole With Buddy Collette With Bobby Darin With Neil Diamond With The 5th Dimension With Bill Evans With Clare Fischer With Michael Franks With Stan Getz With Vince Gill With Dizzy Gillespie With Tramaine Hawkins With Woody Herman With Richard "Groove" Holmes With Paul Horn With Al Jarreau With Dr. John With Plas Johnson With Stan Kenton With Diana Krall With Peggy Lee With Lou Levy With Jon Lucien With Johnny Mandel With Barry Manilow With Shelly Manne With Carmen McRae With Gerry Mulligan With Mark Murphy With Walter Murphy With Oliver Nelson With Robert Palmer With Art Pepper With Shorty Rogers With Kenny Rogers With Linda Ronstadt With Pete Rugolo With The Sandpipers With Lalo Schifrin With Diane Schuur With Bud Shank With Nina Simone With Frank Sinatra With The Singers Unlimited With B. W. Stevenson With Donna Summer With Lew Tabackin With The Manhattan Transfer With U2 With Sarah Vaughan With Wendy Waldman