William Parker
William Parker is a musician, improviser, composer, educator, and author. He plays the bass, shakuhachi, double reeds, tuba, donso ngoni and gembri. Born in 1952 in the Bronx, New York, he studied bass with Richard Davis, Art Davis, Milt Hinton, Wilber Ware, Jimmy Garrison, and Paul West. During Parker’s prolific career, he has recorded over 150 albums, had countless celebrated stage appearances, and helped shaped the jazz scene for both his peers and the youth. In 2013, Parker received the Doris Duke Performing Artist Award in recognition of his influence and impact on the creative jazz scene over the last 40 years.
William entered the music scene in 1971, playing at Studio We, Studio Rivbea, Hilly’s on The Bowery, and The Baby Grand. By the age of 20, Parker quickly became a highly sought after bassist, playing with established musicians such as Ed Blackwell, Don Cherry, Bill Dixon, Milford Graves, Billy Higgins, and Sunny Murray. Projects with dancer and choreographer Patricia Nicholson have created a huge repertoire of composed music for multiple ensembles ranging from solo works to big band projects. In 1980, he became a member of the Cecil Taylor Unit, in which he played a prominent role for over a decade.
Since the beginning of his career, William Parker has commanded a unique degree of respect from his fellow musicians and critics alike. In 1995, the Village Voice characterized William Parker as the most consistently brilliant free jazz bassist of all time. In addition to his work with artists in the United States, he has developed a strong relationship with musicians in the European Improvised Music scene such as Peter Kowald, Peter Brotzmann, Han Bennink, Tony Oxley, Derek Bailey, John Tchicai, Louis Sclavis, and Louis Moholo.
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Album Review
- Théâtre Garonne, 2008 by Giuseppe Segala
- Garden Party by Giuseppe Segala
- Every Dog Has His Day But It Doesn't Matter Because Fat Cat Is Getting Fatter by Karl Ackermann
- A Tribute to Alvin Fielder - Live at Vision Festival XXIV by Troy Dostert
- Symbolic Reality by John Sharpe
- Welcome Adventure Vol. 1 by Mike Jurkovic
- Welcome Adventure! Vol. 1 by Karl Ackermann
- Tao Quartets: Peace Planet & Box of Light by Giuseppe Segala
- More Music for a Free World by Troy Dostert
January 10, 2021
Jazz Musician of the Day: William Parker
January 10, 2020
Jazz Musician of the Day: William Parker
January 10, 2019
Jazz Musician of the Day: William Parker
October 26, 2018
Esperanza Spalding and William Parker Perform At Mind-Builders 40th...
January 10, 2018
Jazz Musician of the Day: William Parker
May 08, 2017
William Parker Quartet & In Order To Survive Double-Album To Be...
April 19, 2017
Jazz At Atlas Debuts In Newburgh, NY With William Parker And Evidence...
March 15, 2017
William Parker & Stefano Scodanibbio Bass Duo To Be Released March 24...
January 10, 2017
Jazz Musician of the Day: William Parker
March 03, 2016
New Work From William Parker Featuring Lisa Sokolov & Cooper-Moore To...
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