Jazz Articles about William Parker

A Fireside Chat with William Parker

by AAJ Staff
May 16, 2003

William Parker is the best bassist of my time. Whether or not people coming to terms with hard bop having ended with the Alfred Lion Blue Note days learn to appreciate Parker is not a question of if, but when. Parker's uncanny ability to make saxophonists that play alongside him better is akin to Jimmy Garrison and Henry Grimes. The latter, a lesson in the often, cruel neglectfulness of the times we live in, a bed we have made and ...

Antipop Consortium: Antipop Vs. Matthew Shipp

by James Taylor
April 2, 2003

Is it hip-hop or is it jazz? A revolutionary new ideal or a sound versed in tradition? Antipop vs. Matthew Shipp is a radical union between New York City's finest avant-garde hip-hop trio and free jazz's most important young pianist--and it's better than anything those phonies from Philly have put out in a decade.Antipop , Shipp's second collaborative release in as many months, sees the pianist joined by what is becoming his regular rhythm section: William Parker, Guillermo ...

William Parker/Joe Morris/Hamid Drake: Eloping With The Sun

by AAJ Staff
March 6, 2003

When jazz players harness African music, it's always interesting to see what forms the musicians preserve from each style. After all, the goal of such a hybrid is to preserve elements of both traditions in order to achieve a result that is more than the sum of its parts.

Eloping With The Sun has the happy property of being such a synergistic mixture. More than any record of its kind in recent history, it captures the spirit of ...

Antipop Consortium: Antipop Vs. Matthew Shipp

by AAJ Staff
February 21, 2003

Vs. has a most interesting aim: a direct collision between hip-hoppers Antipop Consortium and free jazzer Matthew Shipp. We've seen beats applied to jazz records, various forms of studio manipulation, and the application of rhythmic vocals alongside improvisation. So what is new here? The straightforward collision, essentially. Sometimes it works, most of the time it doesn't. Its greatest strength is also its greatest weakness: raw accessibility.

A bit of background. Jazz listeners, who are more likely to appreciate ...

William Parker Quartet: Raining on the Moon

by AAJ Staff
May 20, 2002

Following on the heels of his spectacular 2001 recording O'Neal's Porch, bassist William Parker has assembled the same quartet for a more roots-oriented session featuring vocalist Leena Conquest. Raining on the Moon draws upon these musicians' keen ability to listen and respond, and it aims successfully for a more organic sound.

The sparkling intensity of the opener, “Hunk Pappa Blues," rests solidly on a foundation which combines Parker's bass groove with peppery support from drummer Hamid Drake. The ...

William Parker: Song Cycle

by Glenn Astarita
May 13, 2002

While bassist/composer William Parker has already provided modern jazz fans with an abundance of proverbial cutting edge outings for various labels, this little gem was recorded between 1991-1993 and was originally scheduled for release in 1995. What we have here is a program consisting of Parker’s pairing with vocalist Ellen Christi, whereas pianist Yuko Fujiyama and vocalist Lisa Sokolov perform together on alternating tracks. Consequently, this effort casts a radiant spell to those willing to delve into a series of ...

William Parker: Song Cycle

by Derek Taylor
July 1, 2001

With a reputation and creative resonance that continues to blossom William Parker has come along way since his beginnings in creative improvised music at the dawn of the 1970s. Much more than a formidable bassist, though it's through this persona that he's arguably garnered the most clout, each succeeding project and album continues to reveal the numerous facets of his artistry. Never a cipher when it comes to his spirituality and the sources of his inspiration his compositions have long ...