Charles Walton Obituary

I remember my uncle as a kind and patient man. He gave me my first summer job. He tried to teach me the flute, even when I did not have the skills or patience to do what I needed to do to become a musician. He hung in there, pushed me, but gently. That was his way.



Most of all I remember him as the family film historian. He would take films of us when we played at his house. Years later he had the films converted to video and it was so much fun to watch us all as kids. He captured the spirit and energy of everyone in the family. So it made sense for him to continue his love of history through his research on Bronzville, or by him helping authors who were writing books about jazz musicians and the jazz era.



He was supportive of my decision to adopt my son Spenser. I now look fondly at the picture I took of the both of them in October 2004 when he met his great nephew for the first time. I will make sure that my son learns and hears about his "Great" Uncle Charles and his life.



Yes, I will miss this man and his quiet ways, support, and wisdom.

You can never be forgotten.

My Uncle Charles was not just my Uncle, but he was my dear friend. We shared not only a name, not only a bloodline, but a great friendship and kinship. We shared a love for family, music, and life. He was like my second Dad; I felt he loved me like a son. I'll miss his wisdom, his knowledge, his smile and laugh. "The Professor" was a great guy. I'll miss him, and will always celebrate him. Below is what I read at his homegoing service.



FOR CHARLES



While you were my namesake uncle,

You were truly one-of-a-kind,

And ever will I wear this name proudly, as it was your living that made it divine.



You played in parades,

and countless jazz clubs

On stages large and small

And never once did I fear you’d turn a deaf ear

on what was required to stand tall.



Your love for Lorraine

And the rest of us family,

Was a sweet chord played - no matter the beat or the measure.

It was a symphony of caring, that you were melodically sharing;

It was an opus we’ll always treasure.



So let the music play on – though your drum is now silent

and its rhythm no longer there to pace us,

But we’ll swing to a beat that will always be sweet

As we go on with the love with which you graced us.

I was so sad to hear of Charles' passing. What a wonderful, thoughtful, generous man he was. As with several others who've signed this guestbook, I only knew him for a relatively short time, but I enjoyed every minute of the time we spent together. I've been inspired by the way he freely shared his priceless knowledge of the music scene in Chicago - he loved music, musicians, and history, and helped plant those seeds in so many others. In this way his spirit will live on.



Goodbye Charles. Sorry I wasn't able to say it in person. But we'll jam together again someday.

My first impression of Charles was at The Enterprise Lounge, where he was a fixture at the drums for Von Freeman's wondrous jam sessions during the 1970s and early 1980s. Von's inimitable announcement of "and Professor Chaaahhrrles Walton at the drums" is etched in my memory. Many years later Charles would interview me as a non-musician participant for a project on Von's Enterprise years and we spoke of further collaborations on the project. During those conversations I gained further insight into Charles' remarkable combination of commitment and well-honed humor, that he brought to his unmatched documentation of the Chicago jazz community. His parting is now a loss to his family and friends; his contributions will remain a resource to lovers of the music well into the future.



Terry Martin, Jazz Institute of Chicago Archives.

Mr. Walton was an amazing man. He and his wife welcomed me into their home and I feel their hearts with open souls. I remember he and I sharing many laughs for the short time I knew him. In the scheme of time I only knew him for a short period, but I felt I knew him all my life. I met him one Christmas roughly 7 years ago and the date was truly fitting because he was a gift to my life. Our conversations taught me so much about life and I will always remember and cherish my time with him.

With all my heart and soul, I wish the Walton Family God's strength and blessings. Love Always.

HIS RHYTHMS WILL CONTINUE ON FROM

GENERATION TO GENERATION . . .

CHARLES WALTON WAS MY FIRST DRUM

TEACHER, I WAS TWELVE AT THE TIME,

IN CHICAGO. HE TAUGHT ME TOO SIT,

CORRECT MY POISE AND TOO BE CLEAR

IN ALL ON MY EXECUTIONS. . .

TWO GRAMMYS AND THOUSANDS OF HOURS

PERFORMING WITH SOME OF THE GREATEST

ARTIST IN THE WORLD HE STILL LINGERS ON IN ALL OF US , WE'LL MISS

YOU "CHUCK",.

GERRYCK KING

I had the honor of serving on the AFM Diversity Committee with Charles. He was a wonderful person and a true asset to the committee.

I know he will be missed by everyone on the committee.

Though I had only known Charles since the fall of 1997, it has seemed much longer. He was counselor, teacher, cheerleader and friend to me through two books, about the Chess brothers and Dinah Washington - as I noted in the dedication to him in Queen, he showed me the way. He had an elegant understatement about him that burnished his generous soul. We are all diminished by his absence.

nadine cohodas

Ever since I met Charles about ten years ago I have always been impressed by his tremendous decency. He was an extraordinary individual, and he was always incredibly helpful to me in my music research. He will be missed dearly.

It was a pleasure to know Charles, even though it was brief. I enjoyed hearing about the various mergers that took place with the Federation. He was an incredible historian. It was also an honor and pleasure to serve with him on the AFM Diversity Committee. We will all miss him. God Bless you Charles.

Charles used to come to our monthly jam session at the University of Chicago,and I always looked forward to seeing him play. He taught me so much about playing the drums and how the drummer supports the band. He was also generous with his memories of Bronzeville's clubs and musicians, and the fight for an integrated Musicians' Union. My husband Fred and I miss him terribly, and our hearts go out to his family. Thanks for sharing your memories, wit, and knowledge, dear friend. You will never be forgotten here at the Chicago Jazz Archive.



Debbie Gillaspie

love forever for a good friend, mr. walton. peace and blessings to the family of a great man.

I remember when Uncle Charles and Aunt Lorraine lived upstairs from me when we lived at 6609 S. Greenwood Ave. I could always hear him practising the drums and other instruments. He tried to teach me how to play the clarinet, but I was too pigheaded to learn. Eventually, I ended up playing the trombone during a summer program hosted by Malcolm X Community College. The last time I saw Uncle Charles was in 1990. He and Aunt Lorraine were on a tour of Europe, and I had been living in Italy for about a year, when they made a briefly stop in Venice. I'll guess I'll have to get used to the idea that the LORD has called him home. God bless you, Uncle Charles! You will be greatly missed. Kenny

My sincere sympathy for your families loss. Mr. Walton was a very wonderful, selfless Man. God Bless Him.



Kevin S. Coleman