Evan Parker

Saxophonist

Evan Parker is a pioneering British saxophonist known for his innovative approach to free improvisation and his exploration of sound and silence.

Born
April 5, 1944
Quotes
29
Rank
#4489

About Evan Parker

Evan Parker — Life and Legacy

Evan Parker is a distinguished British saxophonist celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to free improvisation. His unique approach to music emphasizes the interplay between sound and silence, allowing for a profound exploration of freedom and expression. Parker's work challenges traditional jazz norms, as he often states, 'the act of improvisation is a form of freedom,' suggesting that true creativity emerges when musicians break free from established structures. This philosophy is evident in his performances, where spontaneous creation becomes a powerful means of self-expression. Through his innovative techniques, Parker has redefined the role of the musician, advocating for individuality and personal voice in artistic endeavors. His belief that silence can enhance musical expression underscores his understanding of the complexities of sound. By pushing the boundaries of jazz, Parker not only reshapes music but also encourages listeners to engage with deeper societal themes. His quotes and ideas continue to resonate, reminding us of the transformative power of music in reflecting and challenging the human experience.

Quote collection

Evan Parker quotes (page 1 of 2)

29 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Evan Parker Saxophonist
Popular

"So in the sense that we were all dealing with that freer approach, yes, it was certainly one of the first contacts, perhaps the first contact, when Peter came that summer. So it's a very pivotal moment that is documented there."

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Evan Parker Saxophonist
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"So I'm looking to the saxophone as a resource which has its own unique set of possibilities. I'm looking to exploit them and develop them and have the fullest range of possibilities of the saxophone be known."

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Evan Parker Saxophonist
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"I think the voice does that perfectly adequately without being imitated by other instruments."

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Evan Parker Saxophonist
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"Certain kinds of speed, flow, intensity, density of attacks, density of interaction... Music that concentrates on those qualities is, I think, easier achieved by free improvisation between people sharing a common attitude, a common language."

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Evan Parker Saxophonist
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"To speak about notation as the only way that you can guarantee structure of course is already very suspect."

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Evan Parker Saxophonist
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"I think the solo playing, the decision to start playing solo, came out of having discovered what lay behind the doors that that technique opened for me."

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Evan Parker Saxophonist
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"Actually John, Paul Rutherford, and Trevor Watts, and several other rather well known English jazz musicians had got their training by joining the Air Force, which was a pretty standard way for people to get some kind of musical education in those days."

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Evan Parker Saxophonist
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"There's an institution here called the National Sound Archive, and there's a character who works there, Paul Wilson. He takes a very special interest in the history of the music and advised Martin Davidson of the existence of these tapes."

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Evan Parker Saxophonist
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"Those early steps are very important in understanding the evolution. But in themselves, maybe now you need the later records to understand the significance of the earlier records!"

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Evan Parker Saxophonist
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"We all listened to a lot of recorded music, especially American jazz, modern jazz, and that's where our studies were and our inspiration came from."

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Evan Parker Saxophonist
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"In a certain sense, aspects of my solo playing were developed in order to test the theory about how long particular elements could be, as parts of so-called free improvisations."

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Evan Parker Saxophonist
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"When you add a period of 25 years between the playing and the listening, then the whole question of meaning gets very complicated."

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Evan Parker Saxophonist
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"If I think about the way I was drawn into the music, it was much more by recordings than by live performances."

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Evan Parker Saxophonist
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"I'd met Roscoe in Europe quite a few times over the years, and we'd say hi and so on, but this was the first time we'd actually played together."

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Evan Parker Saxophonist
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"Remarkable only the very best arrangers can get a sound like that from four horns"

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Evan Parker Saxophonist
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"A kind of synthesis, but with some elements that perhaps you wouldn't have expected in advance. I always like that when that happens, when something comes that is more than the sum of the parts."

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