Evan Parker


Evan Shaw Parker is a British saxophone player who plays free jazz.
Recording and performing prolifically with many collaborators, Parker was a pivotal figure in the development of European free jazz and free improvisation. He has pioneered or substantially expanded an array of extended techniques. Critic Ron Wynn describes Parker as "among Europe's most innovative and intriguing saxophonists...his solo sax work isn't for the squeamish."

Early influences

Parker's original inspiration was Paul Desmond, and in recent years the influence of cool jazz saxophone players has again become apparent in his music — there are tributes to Warne Marsh and Lee Konitz on Time Will Tell and Chicago Solo.

Later work

Parker is better known for his later work, which rapidly assimilated the American avant-garde — John Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Albert Ayler and others — and forged his own, instantly identifiable style. His music of the 1960s and 1970s involves 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 Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians members. He began to develop methods of rapidly layering harmonics and false notes to create dense contrapuntal weaves; these involved experiments with plastic reeds, circular breathing and rapid tonguing which initially were so intense that he would find blood dripping onto the floor from the saxophone. He also became a member of the big band, the Brotherhood of Breath.
Parker has also increasingly become interested in electronics, usually through inviting collaborators such as Phil Wachsmann, Walter Prati, Joel Ryan, Lawrence Casserley or Matthew Wright to process his playing electronically, creating a feedback loop and shifting soundscape.

Recordings

Parker has recorded a large number of albums both solo or as a group leader, and has recorded or performed with Peter Brötzmann, Michael Nyman, John Stevens, Derek Bailey, Keith Rowe, Joe McPhee, Anthony Braxton, Cecil Taylor, John Zorn, Fred Frith, Bill Laswell, Ikue Mori, Thurston Moore, Cyro Baptista, Milford Graves, George Lewis, Tim Berne, Mark Dresser, Dave Holland, Sylvie Courvoisier, and many others. Two key associations have been pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach's trio with Parker and drummer Paul Lovens and a trio with bassist Barry Guy and drummer Paul Lytton. On Parker's 50th birthday, these two bands played a set apiece at a London concert; the results were issued by Leo Records as the 50th Birthday Concert.
Parker, Bailey, and drummer Tony Oxley founded Incus Records in 1970. The label continued under Bailey's sole control after a falling-out between the two men in the early 1980s. Currently Parker curates Psi Records, which is issued through Martin Davidson's Emanem Records.
Although Parker's central focus is free improvisation, he has also appeared in conventional jazz contexts, such as Charlie Watts's big band and Kenny Wheeler's ensembles, and participated in Gavin Bryars's recording After the Requiem, performing the composition "Alaric I or II" as part of a saxophone quartet.
Parker has recently contributed to David Sylvian's releases Manafon and Died in the Wool.

Pop music

He also has appeared in pop-music contexts: on Scott Walker's Climate of Hunter, and on dubesque albums with Jah Wobble, the adventurous drum n bass duo Spring Heel Jack and rock group Spiritualized. He appeared on the b-side to Vic Reeves and The Wonderstuff's UK 1991 number one hit "Dizzy", performing saxophone on "Oh, Mr Songwriter". At one point during a sax solo, Vic can be heard shouting "Pack it in, Parker!".
Parker has also made notable appearances on record with Robert Wyatt.

Gallery

Evan Parker playing in Aarhus, Denmark 2010

Discography

As leader/co-leader

With Derek Bailey
With Han Bennink
With Borah Bergman
With Paul Bley
With Anthony Braxton
With Peter Brötzmann
With Gavin Bryars
With Lawrence Casserley
With Marilyn Crispell
With Alvin Curran
With Pierre Favre
With Joe Gallivan
With the Globe Unity Orchestra
With Barry Guy/The London Jazz Composers' Orchestra
With Paul Haines
With Tony Hymas - Barney Bush
With Steve Lacy
With Chris McGregor
With Roscoe Mitchell
With Louis Moholo
With The Music Improvisation Company
With Michael Nyman
With Tony Oxley
With Jean-François Pauvros
With Eddie Prévost
With Manfred Schoof
With Alexander von Schlippenbach
With the Spontaneous Music Ensemble
With Spring Heel Jack
With John Stevens
With David Sylvian
with Cecil Taylor
With Stan Tracey
With Scott Walker
With Charlie Watts
With Kenny Wheeler
With Robert Wyatt
With Dave Holland