Errol Parker

Errol Parker’s music, though largely overlooked with the jazz establishment, was quite clean and original. Making use of poly-tonality (playing in two tips simultaneously), simultaneous soloing, and his very own drumming (which achieves an African audio by substituting a conga for the snare drum), Parker’s tentet sounded unlike every other group. Mainly self-taught on piano, he transferred to Paris in 1947 to review sculpture but was shortly playing jazz. Parker (under his primary name Raph Schecroun) documented on periods led by Kenny Clarke, Adam Moody, and Django Reinhardt, and performed on / off with Don Byas during 1956-1958. He documented some industrial music on body organ in 1960 and, to flee from a special contract in order to record jazz variations of Best 40 materials on piano, he utilized the pseudonym Errol Parker. The last mentioned records sold therefore well that he completely transformed his name. A vehicle accident in 1963 cut brief his commercial achievement and compelled Parker to improve his design. After shifting to NY in 1968, he shaped the Errol Parker Encounter, which presented two horns. Because he had not been satisfied with some other drummers, he started doubling on drums himself as well as the 1st few information for his Sahara label discover Parker playing (via overdubbing) both piano and drums. In 1982, while teaching in the Williamsburg Music Middle, he formed a large band that ultimately became his tentet. Because of the eight horns he used, Parker ceased playing piano aside from single engagements and trapped to drums. His recordings (such as a single piano tribute to Thelonious Monk) used such sidemen as Robin Eubanks, Wallace Roney, Donald Harrison, Steve Coleman, Graham Haynes, Philip Harper, Byard Lancaster, and Jimmy Owens, amongst others. Parker passed away of liver tumor on June 2, 1998.