Evan Parker

Early influences

His 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 (ECM, 1993) and Chicago Solo (Okka Disk, 1997).

Later work

Parker is better known, however, 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 (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, 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 (documented on recordings such as Pakistani Pomade and Elf Bagatellen) 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" (based around "Vic Reeves Big Night Out" TV show end theme song). 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 (Photos: Hreinn Gudlaugsson)

As leader/co-leader

As sideman

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 Improvising 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