Evan Parker

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Evan Parker
Moers Festival, 2012
Moers Festival, 2012
Background information
Birth nameEvan Shaw Parker
Born (1944-04-05) 5 April 1944 (age 77)
Bristol, England
GenresJazz, free improvisation, free jazz
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsSaxophone
LabelsPsi, Emanem, Clean Feed, Incus, Leo Records, Rune Grammofon, Tzadik
Associated actsIrene Schweizer, Barry Guy, Cecil Taylor, Anthony Braxton, Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, Globe Unity Orchestra
Websitewww.evanparker.com

Evan Shaw Parker (born 5 April 1944)[1] is a British tenor and soprano saxophone player who plays free improvisation.

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."[2]

Early influences[]

Parker's original inspiration was Paul Desmond,[3] 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 (ECM, 1993) and Chicago Solo (Okka Disk, 1997). He soon discovered the music of John Coltrane, who would be the primary influence throughout his career. Other important early influences were Cecil Taylor, Albert Ayler and Jimmy Guiffre.

Early career[]

Parker moved to London in 1966 and quickly became a part of the city’s improvised music scene based around the Little Theatre Club, joining John Stevens’ Spontaneous Music Ensemble.[1] Along with guitarist Derek Bailey, he quickly became a leading figure in the improvised music movement in London and throughout Europe.[1] One of his most lasting connections was with German pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach, whose trio he joined in 1970.[1]

Solo soprano saxophone music[]

Visualization of Auditory Streaming

Parker is perhaps best known for his solo performances. Originally dismissive of solo performance as being too close in nature to traditional composition, he was inspired to experiment with solo performance by the possibilities for musician-instrument interaction demonstrated by Derek Bailey’s solo guitar improvisations.[4] Primarily using the soprano saxophone for these solo performances, the music makes use of a principle known as auditory streaming,[5] where the use of wide registers creates the illusion of polyphony, which Parker terms “pseudo-polyphony”. This effect is achieved primarily by using multiphonics or harmonics in combination with circular breathing, polyrhythmic fingering, and split tonguing.[6]

Electronic music[]

Working with electronic music since the early days of the Spontaneous Music Ensemble or with his duo with Paul Lytton, Parker has become increasingly interested in electronics, usually through inviting collaborators such as Phil Wachsmann, , , Lawrence Casserley, or Matthew Wright to process his playing electronically, creating a feedback loop and shifting soundscape.[3] His various Electro-Acoustic Ensembles in particular are a showcase for this area of his work.

Later career and recordings[]

Evan Parker, 2005

Parker has recorded a large number of albums both solo or as a group leader, and has recorded or performed with Peter Brötzmann,[7] 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 E. 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 (documented on recordings such as Pakistani Pomade and Elf Bagatellen) and a trio with bassist Barry Guy and drummer Paul Lytton.[8][9] 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.[10]

Parker, Bailey, and 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. Parker curates Psi Records,[3] which is issued by Martin Davidson's Emanem Records.

Although Parker's focus is free improvisation, he has 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.[11]

Parker contributed to David Sylvian's albums Manafon and Died in the Wool.[12]

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" (based around "Vic Reeves Big Night Out" TV show end theme song).[13] 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.[14]

Gallery[]

Evan Parker playing in Aarhus, Denmark 2010

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Discography[]

As leader/co-leader[]

As sideman[]

With Derek Bailey

  • The London Concert (Incus, 1976)
  • Compatibles (Incus, 1986)

With Han Bennink

  • The Grass is Greener (Psi, 2000)

With Borah Bergman

  • The Fire Tale (Soul Note, 1994)

With Paul Bley

With Anthony Braxton

With Peter Brötzmann

With Gavin Bryars

  • (ECM, 1991)

With Lawrence Casserley

  • Solar Wind (Touch, 1997)
  • Dividuality (Maya, 1997)

With Marilyn Crispell

  • Natives and Aliens (Leo, 1997)
  • After Appleby (Leo, 1999)

With Alvin Curran

  • In Real Time (Ictus, 1978)

With Pierre Favre

  • Pierre Favre Quartet (Wergo, 1970)

With Joe Gallivan

With the Globe Unity Orchestra

  • Hamburg 1974 (FMP, 1974)
  • Rumbling (FMP, 1976)
  • Pearls (FMP, 1977)
  • Jahrmarkt/Local Fair (Po Torch, 1977)
  • Improvisations (JAPO, 1978)
  • Compositions (JAPO 1979)
  • Intergalactic Blow (JAPO, 1982)
  • 20th Anniversary (FMP, 1986)
  • Globe Unity 2002(Intakt, 2002)

With Barry Guy/The London Jazz Composers' Orchestra

  • Ode (Incus, 1972)

With Paul Haines

  • Darn It! (American Clavé, 1993)

With

  • Left for Dead (nato, 1995)

With Steve Lacy

  • Saxophone Special (Emanem, 1975)
  • Chirps (FMP, 1985)
  • Three Blokes with Lol Coxhill (FMP, 1994)

With Chris McGregor

  • Chris McCregor Septet. Up to Earth, 1969 (Fledg'ling, 2008)
  • Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath Live at Willisau (Ogun, 1974)
  • Procession (Ogun, 1978)

With Roscoe Mitchell

With Louis Moholo

  • Spirits Rejoice! (Ogun, 1978)
  • Bush Fire (Ogun, 1995)

With The Music Improvisation Company

With Michael Nyman

With Tony Oxley

With

  • (nato, 1987)

With Eddie Prévost

  • Most Materiall (Matchless, 1997)

With Manfred Schoof

  • European Echoes (FMP, 1969)

With Alexander von Schlippenbach

  • Pakistani Pomade (FMP, 1973)
  • Three Nails Left (FMP, 1975)
  • The Hidden Peak (FMP, 1977)
  • Detto fra de Noi (Po Torch, 1982)
  • Anticlockwise (FMP, 1983)
  • Das Hohe Lied (Po Torch, 1991)
  • Elf Bagatellen (FMP, 1991)
  • Physics (FMP, 1996)
  • Compete Combustion (FMP, 1998)
  • Swinging the Bim (FMP, 1998)
  • Gold is Where You Find It (Intakt, 2007)

With the Spontaneous Music Ensemble

With Spring Heel Jack

  • Masses (Thirsty Ear, 2001)
  • Amassed (Thirsty Ear, 2002)
  • Live (Thirsty Ear, 2003)
  • The Sweetness of the Water (Thirsty Ear, 2004)

With John Stevens

  • Corner to Corner (Ogun, 1993)

With David Sylvian

with Cecil Taylor

With Stan Tracey

  • Suspensions and Anticipations (Psi, 2003)

With Scott Walker

With Charlie Watts

  • (nato, 1991)

With Kenny Wheeler

With Robert Wyatt

With Dave Holland

With Setoladimaiale Unit

  • Live at Angelica 2018 (Setola di Maiale, 2019)

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 1906. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. ^ Wynn, Ron. "Evan Parker: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  3. ^ a b c "Evan Parker". European Free Improvisation Pages. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  4. ^ "Evan Parker - Aesthetics of Imperfection". YouTube. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  5. ^ Blancarte, Tom (2020). "'Charon as Muse - The Ferrying of Voices in Evan Parker's Solo Saxophone Music to the Double-Bass as Creative Authorship'". Rhythmic Music Conservatory Copenhagen. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  6. ^ Corbett, John. Extended Play: Sounding Off from John Cage to Dr. Funkenstein (Duke University Press, 1994)
  7. ^ Fordham, John (22 November 2010). "50 great moments in jazz: Peter Brötzmann's Machine Gun". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  8. ^ Fordham, John (23 July 2015). "Evan Parker/Alex von Schlippenbach: 3 Nights at Cafe Oto review – a fine free-improv treat". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  9. ^ "Evan Parker / Sten Sandell / John Edwards / Paul Lytton". Vortex. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  10. ^ "Evan Parker 50th Birthday Concert". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  11. ^ "After the Requiem". Qobuz. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  12. ^ Kelman, John. "David Sylvian: Died in the Wool - Manafon Variations". All About Jazz. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  13. ^ Smith, Stewart. "Complicated Sublimity: Evan Parker Interviewed". The Quietus. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  14. ^ "Evan Parker sets his jazz free". The Herald. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.

External links[]

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