Home » Jazz Musicians » William Parker Quartet

William Parker Quartet

Sign in / sign up and request update access to the William Parker Quartet page.


Tags

108
Album Review

William Parker Quartet: Sound Unity

Read "Sound Unity" reviewed by John Kelman


One aspect of being a bandleader these days is that you simply have to diversify. With road trips longer than two or three weeks now the exception rather than the rule, you need a variety of delineated projects to remain viable. And with the proliferation of independent record labels that, unlike the majors, don't demand exclusivity, you've got to be ready to record, release, and promote these projects at every opportunity.

So when bassist William Parker took the quartet that ...

263
Album Review

William Parker Quartet: Sound Unity

Read "Sound Unity" reviewed by AAJ Staff


William Parker wears many hats: bassist, shaman, communicator, composer, poet, activist, bandleader, and more. (He's also been known to sport any number of colors and fabrics on his dome, but that's a story for another day.)

But the one thing he does best, and which has affected me most, is teach. In listening to his music, I've come to understand many things, some of which can't be easily put into words. They go way beyond any kind of ...

335
Album Review

William Parker Quartet: O'Neal's Porch

Read "O'Neal's Porch" reviewed by AAJ Staff


One of William Parker's best talents is bringing otherworldly jazz down to earth. On this recording, aptly titled after his uncle O'Neal from South Carolina, Parker offers a collection of original tunes that stretch from the abstraction of pure energy to the dirtiness of down-home funk.

The anchor--or the root, to use a more vital analogy--of this group lies in the hands of Parker and drummer Hamid Drake. These two players have a unique cohesion and shared intuition ...

Read more articles
4

Recording

William Parker Quartet & In Order To Survive Double-Album To Be Released June 23 On AUM Fidelity

William Parker Quartet & In Order To Survive Double-Album To Be Released June 23 On AUM Fidelity

Source: Steven Joerg

Meditation / Resurrection is a double-album presenting a bounty of beautiful new William Parker compositions performed by two of his flagship ensembles, the Quartet-&- In Order To Survive. It was recorded & mixed live during a one-day studio session in late 2016. This is Parker & the groups’ followup release to 2013’s epic Wood Flute Songs box set. At the core of both groups is Parker’s foundational bass together with rhythm twin, the incomparable Hamid Drake. Their partnership–two decades deep ...

115

Radio

New William Parker Quartet CD Reviewed on NPR's Fresh Air

New William Parker Quartet CD Reviewed on NPR's Fresh Air

Source: Improvised Communications


128

Recording

New William Parker Quartet CD Released on AUM Fidelity

New William Parker Quartet CD Released on AUM Fidelity

Source: Improvised Communications

“Bassist-composer William Parker’s quartet may be the best working band in jazz today –- it’s certainly one of the most exciting. Every track on their third CD contains examples of their unexcelled collective and individual brilliance. Their liberated and disciplined use of the music’s possibilities makes this a deeply hopeful and uplifting album." --Ed Hazell, PointofDeparture.org

“A welcome return to the studio from one of today's most esteemed working groups, Petit Oiseau is one of Parker's most accessible ...

125

Recording

AUM Fidelity Announces New William Parker Quartet Recording

AUM Fidelity Announces New William Parker Quartet Recording

Source: Improvised Communications

On October 14th, AUM Fidelity will release the William Parker Quartet's new album, Petit Oiseau (AUM050), the group's second studio effort and third release overall. Named after Little Bird (or Petit Oiseau in French), a character from one of bassist/composer William Parker's tone poems, this recording features eight original compositions, including works dedicated to musicians Malachi Favors, Alan Shorter and Arthur Williams. Other pieces take their inspiration from such diverse sources as the inherent rhythm of life and the nomadic ...

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Sound Unity

AUM Fidelity
2005

buy

O'Neal's Porch

Centering Music
2001

buy

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.