Walter Bishop Jr. was an influential American jazz pianist born on October 4, 1927, in New York City. He was the son of composer Walter Bishop Sr. and was raised in Harlem's Sugar Hill area. During his teenage years, he befriended future jazz greats such as Kenny Drew, Sonny Rollins, and Art Taylor. Bishop began his professional music career after World War II, having served in the Army Air Corps from 1945 to 1947.

Bishop was a prominent figure in the bebop scene, participating in jam sessions at Minton's Playhouse and recording with notable musicians like Milt Jackson and Stan Getz in 1949. He played with jazz legends such as Charlie Parker, Oscar Pettiford, Kai Winding, and Miles Davis in the early 1950s. Despite struggling with drug addiction, which led to imprisonment and the revocation of his New York City Cabaret Card, Bishop continued to evolve as a musician.

In the 1960s, Bishop formed his own trio and recorded his debut album as a leader, "Speak Low," in 1961. He was known for his swinging, behind-the-beat style, influenced by Bud Powell. Bishop also became a Muslim, adopting the name Ibrahim ibn Ismail, although he did not use it publicly. He studied at The Juilliard School in the late 1960s and later taught music theory at colleges in Los Angeles and the University of Hartford.

Bishop's discography includes albums like "Coral Keys" (1971), "Soul Village" (1977), "Just in Time" (1988), and "What's New" (1990). He continued to perform and teach into the 1990s, contributing significantly to the jazz genre. Walter Bishop Jr. passed away on January 24, 1998, in New York City, leaving behind a legacy as a gifted pianist and educator.