Biography
Leon Parker consistently shows that less is more by making a great deal of music on a greatly reduced drum set sometimes consisting only of a snare drum, bass drum, and a cymbal. Parker started playing drums when he was three and became serious when he was around 11. At 15, he playing in a local youth jazz band, and two years later, he started studying classical percussion. After graduating from high school, Parker moved to New York City, taking lessons with Barry Harris and freelancing. During a regular gig as a leader at Augie's, he began minimizing his drum set, learning to play entire sets using just a cymbal. He made his recording debut with Harvie Swartz, toured with Sheila Jordan, and gigged with Kenny Barron. Parker spent 1989 with his wife, Lisa (a flutist), playing throughout Spain and Portugal. Back in New York, he became part of the regular band at the Village Gate. The colorful drummer toured and recorded with Dewey Redman, worked with David Sanchez, and was part of the Jacky Terrasson Trio in the mid-'90s. Leon Parker recorded as a leader for Epicure and Columbia, issuing Awakening for the latter in 1998. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi



 
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Leon Parker: Drum Solo from "Perhaps" - cool Master at work #leonparker #drumsolo #drummerworld
Leon Parker - Jacky Terrasson: Bye Bye Blackbird - 1995 #leonparker #jackyterrasson #drummerworld
Ray Of Light
Leon Parker - All My Life
Leon Parker Quartet - featuring Jesse Davis #leonparker #drummerworld
It Is What It Is
Trio w/ Leon Parker (dr) Pierre Perchaud (gtr. ac.) "How Deep is the Ocean"
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