The Jason Parker Quartet is releasing its second album, “No More, No Less” with a CD Release Party at Lucid Jazz Lounge on October 24, 2009 at 9:30pm. The JPQ is: Jason Parker (trumpet), Josh Rawlings (piano), EvanFlory-Barnes (bass) and D’Vonne Lewis (drums). They are joined on three tracks by special guestCynthia Mullis on tenor sax. “No More, No Less” is the follow-up to the JPQ’s self-titled debut album from 2007. The new CD documents the growth the band has gone through during the past two years and illustrates thecohesive, passionate playing that prompted Earshot Jazz to call them “The next generation of Seattle Jazz.” Songs include one original by Parker and fresh takes on compositions by a diversegroup of songwriters, including Wayne Shorter, Cole Porter, Sam Rivers, Nick Drake, George Gershwin, Duke Pearson and Tatum Greenblatt.
The addition of Mullis on three tracks adds fire and depth to the band, and she fits in perfectly with the exploratory nature of the core quartet. The JPQ prides itself on compelling original compositions and fresh interpretations of jazzstandards. With the inclusion of Nick Drake's “Three Hours” they have signaled a commitment to playing songs from outside the traditional jazz canon. And with Tatum Greenblatt’s “Mance’s Dance” they have shown a desire to play songs written by their peers. Greenblatt is a Seattle-born, NYC-based trumpet player currently studying for a Masters’ Degree at Juilliard School of Music.
The CD Release Party at Lucid Jazz Lounge will feature songs from the new CD and othergoodies as well, featuring Mullis joining the band for the evening. The CD will be available at theshow for a suggested donation of $15, but will be available to all attendees on a pay-what-you-can basis. Everyone paying $15 or more will also receive a free download of “Jason Parker andFriends – Live at Lucid”, which was recorded earlier this summer. The band is also planning aWest Coast tour for Winter 2009/2010.
For more information, including member bios and a sneak peek at the DVD, please visit jasonparkermusic.com. Show time for the Release Party is 9:30pm.
Lucid Jazz Lounge is located at 5241 University Way NE, Seattle. There is no cover charge and the show is 21+.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Living the Dream - A Conversation with Jazz Musician Jason Parker
Jason Parker, a jazz trumpet player from Seattle, has been living the dream of many independent musicians and paying the bills at the same time. Working in the music industry for over 20 years, Jason leads The Jason Parker Quartet, one of the busiest jazz bands in Seattle, and plays in a host of other bands, including Clave Nagila, Water Babies, The Nate Omdal Nonet and more.
Jason has released four of his own CDs and played on countless others. He is releasing the second CD with The Jason Parker Quartet, entitled “No More, No Less”, this month. It was recorded on April 8, 2009 at MOUSe Recording, Seattle, WA. Its official release date is October 24, 2009.
Ucombo Music Reviews editor Meg Dilts had a conversation with Jason Parker on his early musical training, the making of his first CD, and his career.
Meg: Hi Jason, thank you for taking the time to talk to us. You’ve been on the music scene for over 20 years. Have you always played in a jazz band?
Jason: Thank you for taking the time to speak with me! I appreciate the opportunity to tell your readers a bit about myself and my music.
I started playing the trumpet at 8 years old and my first exposure to jazz was in my high school big band. The teacher was really into old Basie charts, Sammy Nistico, Maynard Ferguson, etc. He really got me playing jazz. Then I attended the Interlochen Arts Academy for two summers during high school, which really help me progress as a musician. I entered college as a music major, but quickly realized that I didn’t have the drive that the other music students did. They spent all their waking hours in the practice rooms, but I just wanted to be a college freshman! So I played in a few rock bands and pick-up bands, but turned my attention to the radio station at the college, which played lots of jazz. It was a way for me to stay close to the music without all that practicing! After college I put the horn down, had a very successful career in radio, and didn’t think much about playing. It was only after I turned 30 and had a bit of a mid-life crisis that I went back to the horn. A Seattle bassist named Ev Stern has been leading a Jazz Workshop for years and convinced me to come try it out. I did, was hooked, and haven’t put the horn down since. That was 10 years ago.
Meg: When did you start your musical training? You are a trumpet player,
has it always been your instrument of choice since the beginning?
Jason: Growing up we listened to equal parts classical music (my dad’s choice) and folk music (my mom’s choice). From an early age I was taken with the cello, and that’s the first instrument I wanted to play. In 2nd grade, when they made everyone in my school choose and instrument, I chose the cello. But I was told I was too small and would have to settle for a violin. I wasn’t happy about it, but decided to give it a try. But about 2 weeks before the first music class, they called us all into the multi-purpose room and sat us down for a concert. I was right up front, and remember sitting at the feet of a man who looked like a giant, wearing a daishiki and a huge smile, and playing the heck out of a trumpet. I sat watching him mesmerize the whole room, and decided then and there that I wanted to be a trumpet player. That man: Dizzy Gillespie!
Meg: As a professional musician, do you teach besides performing? Do you
find teaching students musically rewarding?
Jason: I do a little bit of teaching. I’ve never enjoyed having a ton of private students, but I love teaching classes to groups of kids and do so for a few organizations in Seattle. I find working with groups and teaching them how to play as a band is very rewarding and inspiring. My favorite thing about jazz is that it is a conversation, and seeing young folks get that and actually start listening to each other is one of my biggest rewards.
Meg: Your quartet, The Jason Parker Quartet, is one of the busiest jazz
bands in Seattle. When was it formed? How did you meet the musicians in
your band?
Jason: I have been leading some form of the JPQ since 2001. The current group has been together for about 2 1/2 years and are the greatest human beings I’ve ever played with. I met Josh Rawlings, the piano player, when I hired one of his bands (Soul Kata) to open for my band Water Babies. We hit it off and when the piano chair in my group came open he was the only person I wanted. Luckily he said yes! He introduced me to Evan Flory-Barnes (bass) and D’Vonne Lewis (drums), who he plays with in a couple of different groups in Seattle (The Teaching and Industrial Revelation). I brought them in to help me record our first CD and we’ve been playing together ever since.
Read more of the exclusive interviews with Jason Parker on Ucombo Music Reviews
Jason has released four of his own CDs and played on countless others. He is releasing the second CD with The Jason Parker Quartet, entitled “No More, No Less”, this month. It was recorded on April 8, 2009 at MOUSe Recording, Seattle, WA. Its official release date is October 24, 2009.
Ucombo Music Reviews editor Meg Dilts had a conversation with Jason Parker on his early musical training, the making of his first CD, and his career.
Meg: Hi Jason, thank you for taking the time to talk to us. You’ve been on the music scene for over 20 years. Have you always played in a jazz band?
Jason: Thank you for taking the time to speak with me! I appreciate the opportunity to tell your readers a bit about myself and my music.
I started playing the trumpet at 8 years old and my first exposure to jazz was in my high school big band. The teacher was really into old Basie charts, Sammy Nistico, Maynard Ferguson, etc. He really got me playing jazz. Then I attended the Interlochen Arts Academy for two summers during high school, which really help me progress as a musician. I entered college as a music major, but quickly realized that I didn’t have the drive that the other music students did. They spent all their waking hours in the practice rooms, but I just wanted to be a college freshman! So I played in a few rock bands and pick-up bands, but turned my attention to the radio station at the college, which played lots of jazz. It was a way for me to stay close to the music without all that practicing! After college I put the horn down, had a very successful career in radio, and didn’t think much about playing. It was only after I turned 30 and had a bit of a mid-life crisis that I went back to the horn. A Seattle bassist named Ev Stern has been leading a Jazz Workshop for years and convinced me to come try it out. I did, was hooked, and haven’t put the horn down since. That was 10 years ago.
Meg: When did you start your musical training? You are a trumpet player,
has it always been your instrument of choice since the beginning?
Jason: Growing up we listened to equal parts classical music (my dad’s choice) and folk music (my mom’s choice). From an early age I was taken with the cello, and that’s the first instrument I wanted to play. In 2nd grade, when they made everyone in my school choose and instrument, I chose the cello. But I was told I was too small and would have to settle for a violin. I wasn’t happy about it, but decided to give it a try. But about 2 weeks before the first music class, they called us all into the multi-purpose room and sat us down for a concert. I was right up front, and remember sitting at the feet of a man who looked like a giant, wearing a daishiki and a huge smile, and playing the heck out of a trumpet. I sat watching him mesmerize the whole room, and decided then and there that I wanted to be a trumpet player. That man: Dizzy Gillespie!
Meg: As a professional musician, do you teach besides performing? Do you
find teaching students musically rewarding?
Jason: I do a little bit of teaching. I’ve never enjoyed having a ton of private students, but I love teaching classes to groups of kids and do so for a few organizations in Seattle. I find working with groups and teaching them how to play as a band is very rewarding and inspiring. My favorite thing about jazz is that it is a conversation, and seeing young folks get that and actually start listening to each other is one of my biggest rewards.
Meg: Your quartet, The Jason Parker Quartet, is one of the busiest jazz
bands in Seattle. When was it formed? How did you meet the musicians in
your band?
Jason: I have been leading some form of the JPQ since 2001. The current group has been together for about 2 1/2 years and are the greatest human beings I’ve ever played with. I met Josh Rawlings, the piano player, when I hired one of his bands (Soul Kata) to open for my band Water Babies. We hit it off and when the piano chair in my group came open he was the only person I wanted. Luckily he said yes! He introduced me to Evan Flory-Barnes (bass) and D’Vonne Lewis (drums), who he plays with in a couple of different groups in Seattle (The Teaching and Industrial Revelation). I brought them in to help me record our first CD and we’ve been playing together ever since.
Read more of the exclusive interviews with Jason Parker on Ucombo Music Reviews
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