| Evan Parker has developed his own unique style of improvisation on both soprano and tenor saxophone.He has performed solo as well as in various combinations of duos, trios and various larger groups.This offers an escape from a composer's inevitable intentions forced on the hierachically inferior performers (drones?Return to British Composers main index or take a look at MUSICNOW main page to see what's new.Page maintained by Brigid Scott Baker.US Music Experts and Writers: Want to write for AMG?Biographyby Ron WynnAmong Europe's most innovative and intriguing saxophonists, Evan Parker's solos and playing style are distinguished by his creative use of circular breathing and false fingering.Parker can generate furious bursts, screeches, bleats, honks, and spiraling lines and phrases and his solo sax work isn't for the squeamish.Birmingham in the early '60s.Parker met guitarist Derek Bailey while in the group, and the duo formed ...Five mp3 Evan Parker audio samples are available.The sources for these notes have come from various places, but in particular from Martin Davidson's notes
to recent Emanem releases and Evan Parker's notes to
50th birthday concert.Evan Parker started to play (alto) saxophone around the age of 14, being particularly interested
in the music of Paul Desmond.At 16 he started to play the soprano saxophone and there followed
a period where he concentrated on soprano only, influenced by John Coltrane.Barre Phillips, Peter Kowald.It is from this period that the earliest recordings of Evan Parker
have so far been released (Summer 1967).Early in 1968, Parker left the SME, though he did play with them on occasions, for example, a 1974 session
with Bailey, Watts, Stevens and Kent Carter at London's ICA Theatre
(Quintessence 1 and
Quintessence 2).He also worked in duo with John Stevens, the latest
recording dating from 1993, just over a year before Stevens' death.From this time (after 1968) he started to work regularly with
Derek Bailey, as a duo, documented on several recordings, and in the Music Improvisation Company with, in
addition to Bailey, Hugh Davies, Jamie Muir and, for the last year of its life, Christine Jeffrey.Parker was also involved in many of Bailey's Company groupings but stopped working with Bailey in 1985 and
left Incus at this time.Martin Davidson (notes to Three other stories)
points out that 'they immediately incurred the wrath of more conservative commentators thanks to their
exploration and use of what had hitherto been considered "noise".Additionally, there were some home made items, notably the Lyttonophone (made by Lytton
but played by Parker) best described as a slide contrabass clarinet and the Dopplerphone, a length of soft
rubber tubing (activated by a saxophone mouthpiece and manipulated to alter the rate of airflow) attached
to a longer length of clear plastic tubing (whirled around the head whilst being played) ending in a plastic
funnel' (Davidson, op.The trio has included guests, either on an ad hoc
basis or for specific projects and tours, and these have included Kenny Wheeler, Paul Rutherford, Mark Charig
and George Lewis.Schweizer, Peter Kowald and Pierre
Favre.Alexander von Schlippenbach trio was formed
with Evan Parker on reeds and Paul Lovens on percussion, Parker replacing
Michel Pilz.Around the core of this trio, quartets have sprung from time to time, including, on bass, Alan
Silva, Nobuyoshi Ino and Reggie Workman.Evan Parker, 50th birthday concert).In addition he
has continued to work with an extremely wide variety of musicians and groups from all musical areas, from
Sainkho Namtchylak, Anthony Braxton, Paul Bley, Wolfgang Fuchs to :zoviet*france.Evan Parker is perhaps most
recognised.In particular, his use of circular breathing techniques to create extended, complex, overlapping,
repetative and beautiful soundscapes is generally seen as the apex of saxophone virtuosity.In November 2001 Evan Parker started his own CD label: psi.Further full text information
Article by Evan Parker
The full text of the programme notes by Evan Parker prepared for a solo
performance in Rotterdam in 1992 has kindly been provided by the author and can be viewed on this site.Evan Parker
The full text of an interview with Evan Parker by Martin Davidson for the
New Zealand magazine Opprobrium can be viewed on this site.The full text of an interview with Evan Parker for the
French magazine Improjazz can be viewed, where a number of EP's recordings are discussed.The full text of Francesco Martinelli's essay on Evan Parker, his music, groupings, recordings, as
included as 'Afterthoughts' to Martinelli's extensive discography of Parker, published in 1994.Further information
Beresford, Steve (1998), Process and reality: Evan Parker in conversation.This issue also includes a CD with two Evan Parker tracks.Paralle lines: recent CDs by Evan Parker.An overview of 1996 and 1997 CD releases.Evan Parker: columns of air.Ex Uno Plura, in Extended play: sounding off from John Cage to Dr.Discussion of the work of both Milford Graves and Evan Parker; Evan Parker section occupies (with references) pp.Evan Parker, Saxophone botany, in Extended play: sounding off from John Cage to Dr.Duke University Press, 0 8223 1473 8.Greenaway, Mark (1997), Evan Parker: recorded delivery.Isham, Andy (1997), Evan Parker: not a timid man.Speaking of the essence.Evan Parker, moving forward with tradition.Jazz journal international, vol.Svirchev, Laurence M (1993).Evan Parker: an intensity of purpose.Terlizzi, Roberto (1979), Evan Parker: a profile.Followed by article on Incus, pp.CD reissue of FMP 110 with bonus tracks.Three nails left, FMP 0210.Quartet with Peter Kowald.Quartet with Alan Silva.Quartet with Alan Silva.Lytton + Schlippenbach Trio.Atlanta, Impetus IMP 18617.Natives and aliens, Leo CD LR 243.At The Vortex (1996), Emanem 4022.Compilation CD of 11 groups live in Berlin.Zafiro, Maya Recordings MCD0602.Live at the Unity Theatre, psi 03.Birds and blades, Intakt 080.Evan Parker at the finger palace, The Beak Doctor 3.The snake decides, Incus 49.CD release of Incus 49 in 2003.Single track on a compilation CD.Christmann (+ three Christmann solos).Deluxe improvisation series vol.Deluxe improvisation series vol.For Steve Lacy, Treader trd001.Evan Parker with birds.Reed solos, Matchless MRCD63.Horn_bill: one solo on this compilation set.It would be
easy to add a number of other, earlier, recordings to this list.Toward the margins, ECM New series 1612.One track with Lawrence Casserley.Live at Les Instants Chavires Leo LR 255.The promise Materiali Sonori MASO CD 90106.With Thurston Moore and Walter Prati.London's overthrow Ash International Ash 4.Track on compilation CD.Live, Thirsty Ear THI57130.Summer 1967, Emanem 4005.The topography of the lungs, Incus 1.The topography of the lungs, psi 06.Reissued on CD as Quintessence 1.The London concert, Incus 16.The London concert, psi 05.Ogun OG 420 Duo with John Stevens.Corner to corner, Ogun OGCD 005.The morlocks, FMP CD 61.Live in Wuppertal, FMP 0160.Improvisations and Compositions
1982, Intergalactic blow, JAPO 60039.Zurich concerts, Intakt 005.London Jazz Composers Orchestra.London Jazz Composers Orchestra.Double trouble, Intakt CD019.Portraits, Intakt CD 035.Three pieces for orchestra, Intakt CD 045.Barry Guy New Orchestra.Barry Guy New Orchestra.Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath.Travelling somewhere, Cuneiform Rune 152.Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath.His Master's Bones, Cuneiform Rune 89.Procession, Ogun OG 524.Cecil Taylor European Orchestra.Strings with Evan Parker, Emanem 4302.Spectral soprano, Emanem 4204.Evan Parker + London Improvisers Orchestra.Freedom of the city 2002, Emanem 4090.Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra with Evan Parker.Freedom of the city 2005, Emanem 4216.Crossing the river, psi 06.Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath.Circadian rhythm, Incus 33.The 'Wuppertal Workshop Ensemble'.Long on Dossier ST 7529.Single track on Jon Rose LP.LPs with large group, small groups and a solo.The ayes have it, Emanem 4055.Two quartets (+ duo with Onnyk from 82).Straight angles suite, FMP CD 21.Straight angle suite II, FMP 1260.Another duo with Peter Kowald.Includes Straight angle suite II on this CD release.Trio with Cecil Taylor and Tristan Honsinger.Hamster attack Nato 1544.Duos, in all combinations, between Wolfgang Fuchs, Hans Koch, Evan Parker and Louis Sclavis.Cecil Taylor: The Quartet.The Place 1991, Emanem 4056.Quartet of Evan Parker, Steve Beresford, Arjen Gorter, Han Bennink.Innocence, Cadence CJR 105.Evan Parker, Leo Lab 018.Duo (London) 1993, Leo CD LR 193.Duo with Anthony Braxton.Trio (London) 1993, Leo CD LR 197.With Paul Bley and Barre Phillips.With Louis Moholo, Pule Pheto, Gibo Pheto, Barry Guy.Two duos with Wolfgang Fuchs.With Peter Kowald and Ort Ensemble.Most materiall Matchless MRCD33.Mark Sanders, Paul Rogers.Duo with Ned Rothenberg.Trio with Mauro Orselli and Antonello Salis.Unity variations, Okka disk 12028.The two seasons, Emanem 4202.Includes duo with Agusti Fernandez.Dark rags, Potlatch P 200.Patrick Scheyder Leo LR 326.Visions, Isopin labs (no number).Duo with John Tilbury on this compilation double CD.Free zone Appleby 2002, psi 03.Octet in various combinations.Townorchestrahouse, Clean Feed CD041CD.Suspensions and anticipations, psi 04.Free zone Appleby 2003, psi 04.Octet in various combinations.Imponderable evidence Matchless MRCD57.Trio with interludes, Treader trd002.Glossolalia, World Tribe Music.Abbey Road duos, Treader trd009.Parallelisms, Ruby Flower Records RF04CD.Evan Parker may be the most formidable saxophonist since John Coltrane.On some of his tenor excursions (particularly here on his work with the John Wolf Brennan HeXtet) his tone sounds a great deal like Coltrane's, and his phrasing recalls some of the last words from the master: the twilight pyrotechnics of Interstellar Space and Expression.No one, however, would ever hear Evan Parker playing either tenor or soprano and mistake the player for John Coltrane.Evan Parker is that rare bird of contemporary playing: a thoroughly individual voice.He has influenced a growing crowd of younger saxophonists, but his playing in indefatigably free settings has unfortunately limited his fame and influence.Parker has developed the possibilities of unpremeditated music more deeply than almost anyone, creating a personal vocabulary that is simultaneously instantly recognizable and adaptable to the most varied of situations.He adapts marvelously to the style of whomever he's playing with, but he makes no easy concessions to the expectations of a listener weaned on the likes of hard bop.On tenor he creates sharp melodic shards with an astonishing emotional range.In the Sixties Parker began with the Spontaneous Music Ensemble that included guitarist Derek Bailey, trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, bassist Dave Holland, the legendary drummer John Stevens; all went on to be recognized as being among the foremost exponents of their instruments.He has also recorded with Guy's London Jazz Composers Orchestra, Anthony Braxton, Steve Lacy, Marilyn Crispell, Ned Rothenberg .Familiar with Evan Parker's work?Moved Permanently
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0 plays scrobbled on Last.His music of the 1960s and 1970s is harsh, raw and unsettling, involving fluttering, swirling lines that have shape rather than tangible melodic content; sometimes he makes use of pure sound in a manner that recalls Steve Lacy's more radical 1970s recordings or the work of some AACM members.He began to develop methods of rapidly layering harmonics and false notes to create dense contrapuntal weaves; these involved experiments with plastic reeds and rapid tonguing which initially were so intense that he would find blood dripping onto the floor from the saxophone.Add this track to your playlist
G.Recently caught Evan Parker with Tom Jenkinson (Squarepusher) over at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and it was, in my opinion, outstanding.Had never heard of Evan Parker before (been out of the scene for a few years), and was greatly impressed.If you'd like to add some events for Evan Parker then you can do so on this page.Web Site Support
Last.Sign in to get personalized recommendations.Josef Holbrooke, Iskra 19o3 and the Spontaneous Music Ensemble; other key associations were with drummer Tony Oxley and saxophonist Evan Parker, with whom he founded Incus records.Josef Holbrooke, Iskra 19o3 and the Spontaneous Music Ensemble; other key associations were with drummer Tony Oxley and saxophonist Evan Parker, with whom he founded Incas records.Bailey was also for many years ringmaster of the annual Company week of free ...James "Blood" Ulmer's band Phalanx, and in 1991 he played in duo with saxophonist Evan Parker at the Total Music Meeting in Berlin.View or change your orders in Your Account. |
