William Parker

An astonishing 3CD box set of new and previously unissued long-form works from world-renowned composer-bassist William Parker. This box set is comprised of four distinctly compelling long-form works -- Parker's first composition written for symphony orchestra performance; a commissioned piece for a standing new music ensemble; a 'chamber-jazz' song series for voice / soprano sax / piano / bass; a composition created specifically for a particularly diverse Parker assemblage in Universal Tonality mode. The four works are linked by a focus on and greater adherence to William Parker's written compositions; the depth and breadth of the resultant performances is astonishing. Musicians featured herein include William Parker (bass, doson'ngoni); Hamid Drake (drums); Cooper-Moore (piano); Rob Brown (alto sax); Charles Gayle (tenor & soprano sax); Mike Reed (drums); Leena Conquest (voice); Mola Sylla (voice); Sangeeta Bandyopadhyay (voice); Klaas Hekman (bass sax); NFM Symphony Orchestra + Choir (Wroclaw, Poland); Kitchen House Blend band. Deluxe box set is published in a limited first edition of 1500 copies. Each of the CD sleeves (and the box cover) feature commissioned paintings by gifted young artist Douglas Arnold. The accompanying 24pg. booklet contains extensive notes by Philip Clark (The Wire, et al.), William Parker's lyrics, and further key visual artwork.

.

The New York bassist remains in demand and near constant rotation as a sideman and group leader, but For Those Who Are, Still was a weighty testament to his skill in larger scale and longform compositions. With a palette spanning Indian vocalists, Senegalese griots, orchestras and choirs, the music embodied Parker’s idea and ideal of universal tonality. Andy Hamilton said: “As For Those Who Are, Still reminds us, William Parker eagerly confronts the most challenging artistic problems.” TheWire Best Albums of 2015