Biography
Horace Parlan overcame physical disability and thrived as a pianist despite it. His right hand was partially disabled by polio in his childhood, but Parlan made frenetic, highly rhythmic right-hand phrases part of his characteristic style, contrasting them with striking left-hand chords. He also infused blues and R&B influences into his style, playing in a stark, sometimes somber fashion. Parlan always cited Ahmad Jamal and Bud Powell as prime influences. He began playing in R&B bands during the '50s, joining Charles Mingus' group from 1957 to 1959 following a move from Pittsburgh to New York. Mingus aided his career enormously, both through his recordings and his influence. Parlan played with Booker Ervin in 1960 and 1961, then in the Eddie Lockjaw Davis-Johnny Griffin quintet in 1962. Parlan played with Rahsaan Roland Kirk from 1963 to 1966, and had a strong series of Blue Note recordings in the '60s. He left America for Copenhagen in 1973, and gained international recognition for some stunning albums on SteepleChase, including a pair of superb duet sessions with Archie Shepp. He also recorded with Dexter Gordon, Red Mitchell, Frank Foster, and Michal Urbaniak, and recorded extensively for Enja and Timeless. He died in Denmark in February 2017 at the age of 86. ~ Ron Wynn, Rovi



 
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Jazz Docu - Horace Parlan By Horace Parlan
Hor̲a̲c̲e ̲P̲a̲r̲la̲n Q̲u̲i̲n̲t̲e̲t –̲ ̲S̲p̲e̲a̲k̲i̲n'̲ ̲M̲y ̲P̲i̲e̲c̲e (̲1̲9̲6̲0̲)̲
Horac̲e̲ P̲a̲r̲l̲a̲n̲ ̲- ̲O̲n̲ T̲h̲e̲ S̲p̲u̲r̲ O̲f̲ T̲h̲e̲ M̲o̲m̲e̲n̲t̲ (̲1̲9̲6̲1̲)̲
Horace Parlan Monk's Mood
Horace Parlan Movin' & Groovin'
Firm Roots - Horace Parlan 1986
Pannonica
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