William Parker is a bassist, improviser, composer, author and educator from New York City. William has recorded over 150 albums, published six books and taught and mentored hundreds of young musicians and artists. He has been called “one of the most inventive bassist/leaders since Mingus” and “the creative heir to Jimmy Garrison and Paul Chambers…” The Village Voice called him, “…the most consistently brilliant free jazz bassist of all time.”
During the interview Parker discusses his early years in the Bronx, training with some of the masters of the bass, his 12-years with Cecil Taylor and his universal beliefs in the power of music. In addition to Cecil Taylor he has performed with creative musicians Milford Graves, Don Cherry, Bill Dixon, Peter Brotzmann, Derek Bailey, John Zorn, Rashied Ali, Charles Gayle, Jimmy Lyons, Billy Bang, Daniel Carter, Cooper Moore, David S. Ware, Sonny Murray, Jemeel Moondoc, Muhal Richard Abrams, Anthony Braxton, Oliver Lake, Roscoe Mitchell, Wadada Leo Smith, Enrico Rava, Grachan Moncur III, The Art Ensemble Of Chicago among others. A solo bass performance, a trio with Andrew Cyrille and Enrico Rava and his quartet are featured during the interview.
