Jazz Articles

William Parker Orchestra: Essence of Ellington

by John Sharpe
October 22, 2012

Talk to any member of the so-called avant-garde, and what is immediately apparent is a deep familiarity and love of the tradition. That's not to say that there is a desire to replicate: almost the opposite. New York City bass icon William Parker first began listening to Duke Ellington when he was seven years old. One thing he learned was not to imitate but to find his own way in music. And that comes through in spades on this double ...

William Parker Quartet: O'Neal's Porch

by AAJ Staff
April 1, 2001

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 ...