William Parker

[damonsmith]

I am pretty sure he plays Orchestra reds. His last few albums, Corn Meal Dance and the Alphaville suite have been great.

[Jason Sypher]

I've had the pleasure of studying a bit with William. Sitting with him in his apartment, talking about life and music I felt like I was hanging with Charles Mingus or something. There was such a calm heaviness about him. Then we would play duets together. I don't think I ever played my bass like that before or since. After 20 minutes I was completely exhausted, it was like pulling back my skin and exposing all my nerve endings at once. I wish I felt like that every time I picked up the bass but it had a lot to do with him and what he was giving. If you play with intense people it will raise your game. There was a sense that, even in the lesson, the music mattered. It was a funny experience because every time I thought I was getting somewhere he wouldn't be that into it and every time I thought I was all over the place, he would find something there to work with.

[BassTart]

O'Neill's Porch. incredible

[mattfong]

Originally Posted by ablumley

It was seeing him play a half-hour redition of the "Cathedral of Light" that openned a few doors for me. I'm sure that it was a performance that helped to push me down the path toward the "dark side." Mr. Chokroun, I'm still playing the big old Eastern European bass that my friend has so graciously lent me while I search for a good sounding instrument that I can afford. Most of the basses that I could afford right now just don't live up to the loaner's rather large sound.

Hey Aaron, I didn't know you were on here.

Also, my first exposure to Parker was an incredible solo performance at the CD release show for his newish solo CD recorded live here in Toronto. Has anyone heard that CD (Live at Somewhere There)? I haven't yet.

[damonsmith]

Yeah, that new solo is just incredible, his own albums have been getting more "conservative" so it is great to hear this new solo. I love his bass playing no matter what, though. There is a recent duo with Joëlle Léandre that is great. He is always working!

[Tanglehead]

My introduction to WP's work was a duo album he did with Alan Silva: A Hero's Welcome. Changed my way of thinking about music, bass and ensemble (duo) playing. Then I discovered his work with Hamid Drake, which is to me extremely listenable on many levels - probably much more accessible to many than the Silva or Little Huey Orchestra material. WP deserves a thread in this section, and I hope it encourages and inspires bassists of all ages and predilections to investigate his creative output. There really is something there for everybody.