Antonio Parker

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Review:

This is the two hundred fifteenth in a series of special Jazz on the Tube reviews of live stream performances.

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The excellent post-bop alto-saxophonist Antonio Parker was born and raised in Philadelphia.

He graduated from Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia, served as a U.S. Information Agency Ambassador to Africa (performing and giving jazz workshops in several African countries), toured the world as a member of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and has led three recordings of his own.

On his LiveStream from June 21, 2020, Antonio Parker leads a fine quartet that also features pianist Jordan Williams, bassist Cheney Thomas and drummer Keith Kilgo; all four musicians are superior soloists and together they have an appealing group sound.

The Antonio Parker Quartet performs the leader’s advanced yet swinging originals (including “Train Set” and “Dimension”) and such standards as Dave Brubeck’s “In Your Own Sweet Way,” Charlie Parker’s “Confirmation,” “What’s New,” “Giant Steps” (which starts off with an extended Parker cadenza), and “Misty.”

It makes for a well-rounded and enjoyable program.

-Scott Yanow