A versatile studio musician who is skilled on all types of percussion, Larry Bunker's main significance to jazz has been as a drummer and vibraphonist.

Born in Long Beach, California, on November 2, 1928, Bunker was a member of the Gerry Mulligan Quartet in 1953 (replacing Chico Hamilton) and then primarily worked in the studios but emerged in the jazz world for associations with Stan Getz, Warne Marsh, Clare Fischer, Gary Burton, Dizzy Gillespie and most significantly as a member of the Bill Evans Trio (1963-65), making occasional recordings in a jazz setting through the decades.

Larry Bunker's only opportunities to lead his own band on record resulted in three obscure albums in a 1963 quartet that included Gary Burton; one came out on Vault and the other two appeared as Japanese Interplay CDs.

He passed away in Los Angeles, on March 8, 2005.

Scott Yanow -All Music Guide