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Aaron Parks: Arborescence
by John Kelman
Slowly but surely, over the past several years, ECM Records has forged relationships with some of New York City's most impressive musicians--no mean feat given that, despite the Big Apple no longer being the jazz mecca it once was, it certainly remains a lightning rod for some of the world's most creative musicians, ranging from trumpeter Ralph Alessi and saxophonists Tim Berne and Chris Potter, to pianists David Virelles, Jason Moran and Craig Taborn--all of whom have been represented, either ...
Continue ReadingAlbum Review
Aaron Parks: Arborescence
by AAJ Italy Staff
Arborescence è il debutto su ECM di Aaron Parks, ancor giovane pianista di Seattle venuto alla ribalta appena diciottenne nel sestetto di Terence Blanchard. Registrato in solitudine tra le rinascimentali architetture della Mechanics Hall (Worcester, Massachusetts), l'album coniuga l'acustica calda e avvolgente della storica sala concerto con la cura maniacale del suono di Mr. Eicher. Nel corso delle undici improvvisazioni presenti in Arborescence - è vero, qualche frammento si ripresenta qua e là, qualche cellula melodica funziona da possibile raccordo, ...
Continue ReadingAaron Parks: Invisible Cinema
by Laurel Gross
While he only just passed his 24th birthday in October 2008, the gifted Aaron Parks has been appreciated by New Yorkers for quite some time. He's been paying his dues in local clubs for years and has distinguished himself further--enhancing his reputation as a pianist of excellence--as a former member of Terence Blanchard's notable Flow sextet, touring and playing on three Blanchard recordings for Blue Note, including the Grammy-winning A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina) (2007). He's ...
Continue ReadingAaron Parks: Invisible Cinema
by Chris May
Best known for his five-year tenure with trumpeter Terence Blanchard, pianist Aaron Parks is the second Blanchard graduate to debut under his own name on Blue Note in 2008. His disc follows percussionist Lionel Loueke's Karibu (Blue Note, 2008), a fitfully engaging album flawed by trying too hard. Invisible Cinema by contrast is a corker, a caveat-free fairground ride in forward-looking piano jazz winningly spiced with a little prog rock.
Parks played on three Blanchard albums--including the outstanding ...
Continue ReadingAaron Parks: Structured Freedom
by Jason Crane
On the new episode of The Jazz Session, Jason Crane interviews pianist/composer Aaron Parks about his new album, Invisible Cinema (Blue Note, 2008). Parks is 24 years old--and he started college 11 years ago. A child prodigy who entered the University of Washington at age 13 as a triple major in math, computer science and music, Parks quickly found that music was his true calling. Now, after a five-year stint with trumpeter Terence Blanchard, Parks is set ...
Continue ReadingAaron Parks: Invisible Cinema
by John Kelman
If ever there were a supporting case for the importance of mentoring in jazz, it would be Aaron Parks. The pianist began playing with trumpeter Terence Blanchard in 2003 at the age of 18 and, over the course of three albums culminating in last year's deeply moving A Tale of God's Will (Blue Note, 2007), has grown into a mature player whose early promise is already being realized. With inimitable technique and open ears, he seems to have bypassed the ...
Continue ReadingAaron Parks: Structured Freedom
by Jason Crane
Pianist and composer Aaron Parks is 24 years old--and he started college 11 years ago. A child prodigy who entered the University of Washington at age 13 as a triple major in math, computer science and music, Parks quickly found that music was his true calling. Now, after a five-year stint with trumpeter Terence Blanchard, Parks is set to release his Blue Note debut, Invisible Cinema. The album, which hits stores on August 19, 2008, is a tour de force ...
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