Horace Parlan
Encyclopedia
Horace Parlan is an American
hard bop
and post-bop
piano
player.
He is noted for his contributions to the classic Charles Mingus
recordings Mingus Ah Um
and Blues & Roots
.
As a child, Parlan was stricken with polio, resulting in the partial crippling of his right hand. The handicap, though, has contributed to his development of a particularly "pungent" left-hand chord voicing style, while comping with highly rhythmic phrases with the right.
Between 1952 and 1957, he worked in Washington DC with Sonny Stitt
and then spent two years with Charles Mingus
' Jazz Workshop. In 1973, Parlan moved to Copenhagen, Denmark. He later settled in the small village Rude in southern Zealand. In 1974 he did a State Department tour of Africa with Hal Singer
.
His later work, notably a series of duos with the tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp
, including the album Goin' Home
, is steeped in gospel music
.
He was recipient of the 2000 Ben Webster Prize
given by the Ben Webster Foundation
.
With Pierre Dorge
With Booker Ervin
With Dexter Gordon
With Roland Kirk
With Charles Mingus
With Archie Shepp
With Zoot Sims
With Stanley Turrentine
With Tommy Turrentine
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hard bop
Hard bop
Hard bop is a style of jazz that is an extension of bebop music. Journalists and record companies began using the term in the mid-1950s to describe a new current within jazz which incorporated influences from rhythm and blues, gospel music, and blues, especially in the saxophone and piano...
and post-bop
Post-bop
Post-bop is a term for a form of small-combo jazz music that evolved in the early-to-mid sixties. The genre's origins lie in seminal work by John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Charles Mingus, Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock...
piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
player.
He is noted for his contributions to the classic Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus Jr. was an American jazz musician, composer, bandleader, and civil rights activist.Mingus's compositions retained the hot and soulful feel of hard bop and drew heavily from black gospel music while sometimes drawing on elements of Third stream, free jazz, and classical music...
recordings Mingus Ah Um
Mingus Ah Um
Mingus Ah Um is a jazz album by Charles Mingus, recorded and released on Columbia Records in 1959. It was his first album recorded for Columbia. The cover features a painting by S...
and Blues & Roots
Blues & Roots
Blues & Roots is an album by Charles Mingus, recorded in 1959 and released in 1960. It has been reissued twice as a CD, first by Atlantic Records, and then again by Rhino Entertainment in 1998....
.
As a child, Parlan was stricken with polio, resulting in the partial crippling of his right hand. The handicap, though, has contributed to his development of a particularly "pungent" left-hand chord voicing style, while comping with highly rhythmic phrases with the right.
Between 1952 and 1957, he worked in Washington DC with Sonny Stitt
Sonny Stitt
Edward "Sonny" Stitt was an American jazz saxophonist of the bebop/hard bop idiom. He was also one of the best-documented saxophonists of his generation, recording over 100 albums in his lifetime...
and then spent two years with Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus Jr. was an American jazz musician, composer, bandleader, and civil rights activist.Mingus's compositions retained the hot and soulful feel of hard bop and drew heavily from black gospel music while sometimes drawing on elements of Third stream, free jazz, and classical music...
' Jazz Workshop. In 1973, Parlan moved to Copenhagen, Denmark. He later settled in the small village Rude in southern Zealand. In 1974 he did a State Department tour of Africa with Hal Singer
Hal Singer
Harold Joseph "Hal" Singer is an American R&B and jazz bandleader and saxophonist.-Biography:Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Singer studied violin as a child but, as a teenager, switched to clarinet and then tenor saxophone, which became his instrument of choice...
.
His later work, notably a series of duos with the tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp
Archie Shepp
Archie Shepp is a prominent African-American jazz saxophonist. Shepp is best known for his passionately Afrocentric music of the late 1960s, which focused on highlighting the injustices faced by the African-Americans, as well as for his work with the New York Contemporary Five, Horace Parlan, and...
, including the album Goin' Home
Goin' Home (album)
Goin' Home is a studio album by American jazz saxophonist Archie Shepp and pianist Horace Parlan, released in 1977 on SteepleChase Records. It is the first of a series of duet records featuring the two musicians. The album was recorded in one session at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen and was...
, is steeped in gospel music
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
.
He was recipient of the 2000 Ben Webster Prize
Ben Webster Prize
The Ben Webster Prize is an annual jazz award set up by the Ben Webster Foundation to honour Danish and American Jazz musicians as well as other professionals active in the promotion of jazz in those countries. The American jazz musician Ben Webster spent his last ten years in Copenhagen, Denmark,...
given by the Ben Webster Foundation
Ben Webster Foundation
The Ben Webster Foundation, a non-profit organization, was formed by jazz enthusiasts and musicians in Denmark and it was confirmed by the Queen of Denmark’s Seal in 1976....
.
As leader
- Movin' & Groovin'Movin' & Groovin'Movin' & Groovin' is the debut album by American jazz pianist Horace Parlan featuring performances recorded and released on the Blue Note label in 1960.-Reception:...
(Blue NoteBlue Note RecordsBlue Note Records is a jazz record label, established in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis. Francis Wolff became involved shortly afterwards. It derives its name from the characteristic "blue notes" of jazz and the blues. At the end of the 1950s, and in the early 1960s, Blue Note headquarters...
, 1960) - Us ThreeUs ThreeUs Three is the second album by American jazz pianist Horace Parlan featuring performances recorded and released on the Blue Note label in 1960.-Reception:...
(Blue Note, 1960) - Speakin' My PieceSpeakin' My PieceSpeakin' My Piece is the third album by American jazz pianist Horace Parlan featuring performances recorded and released on the Blue Note label in 1960.-Reception:...
(Blue Note, 1960) - Headin' SouthHeadin' South (album)Headin' South is the fourth album by American jazz pianist Horace Parlan featuring performances recorded in 1960 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:...
(Blue Note, 1960) - On the Spur of the MomentOn the Spur of the MomentOn the Spur of the Moment is the fifth album by American jazz pianist Horace Parlan featuring performances recorded and released on the Blue Note label in 1961.-Reception:...
(Blue Note, 1961) - Up & DownUp & Down (album)Up & Down is the fourth album by American jazz pianist Horace Parlan featuring performances recorded in 1960 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:...
(Blue Note, 1961) - Happy Frame of MindHappy Frame of MindHappy Frame of Mind is the seventh album by American jazz pianist Horace Parlan featuring performances recorded in 1961 but not released on the Blue Note label until 1988...
(Blue Note, 1963) - ArrivalArrival (Horace Parlan album)Arrival is an album by American Jazz pianist Horace Parlan featuring performances recorded in 1973 and released on the Danish-based SteepleChase label...
(SteeplechaseSteepleChase RecordsSteepleChase Records is a jazz record label based in Copenhagen, Denmark. SteepleChase was founded in 1972 by Nils Winther, who was a student at Copenhagen University at the time...
, 1974) - No BluesNo Blues (album)No Blues is an album by American jazz pianist Horace Parlan featuring performances recorded in 1975 and released on the Danish-based SteepleChase label.-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 4 stars....
(Steeplechase, 1975) - Frank-ly SpeakingFrank-ly SpeakingFrank-ly Speaking is an album by American jazz pianist Horace Parlan featuring performances recorded in the U.S. in 1977 and released on the Danish-based SteepleChase label.-Reception:...
(Steeplechase, 1977) - Goin' HomeGoin' Home (album)Goin' Home is a studio album by American jazz saxophonist Archie Shepp and pianist Horace Parlan, released in 1977 on SteepleChase Records. It is the first of a series of duet records featuring the two musicians. The album was recorded in one session at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen and was...
(Steeplechase, 1977) - Trouble in MindTrouble in Mind (Archie Shepp album)Trouble in Mind is a studio album by American jazz saxophonist Archie Shepp and pianist Horace Parlan, featuring performances recorded in 1980 and released on the Danish-based SteepleChase label...
(Steeplechase, 1977) - Blue ParlanBlue ParlanFrank-ly Speaking is an album by American jazz pianist Horace Parlan featuring performances recorded in 1978 and released on the Danish-based SteepleChase label.-Reception:...
(Steeplechase, 1978) - Hi-FlyHi-Fly (album)Hi-Fly is a studio album by American jazz pianist Horace Parlan, featuring performances recorded in 1978 and released on the Danish-based SteepleChase label...
(Steeplechase, 1978) - Musically YoursMusically YoursMusically Yours is a solo album by American jazz pianist Horace Parlan featuring performances recorded in 1979 and released on the Danish-based SteepleChase label. The album consists mainly of jazz standards and show tunes with one original by Parlan...
(Steeplechase, 1979) - The MaestroThe Maestro (album)The Maestro is a solo album by American jazz pianist Horace Parlan featuring performances recorded in 1979 and released on the Danish-based SteepleChase label. The album consists mainly of jazz standards and show tunes...
(Steeplechase, 1979) - Pannonica (EnjaEnja RecordsEnja Records is a German jazz record label based in Munich, Germany. It was founded by jazz enthusiasts Matthias Winckelmann and Horst Weber in 1971....
, 1981) - Like Someone in LoveLike Someone in Love (Horace Parlan album)Like Someone in Love is an album by American jazz pianist Horace Parlan featuring performances recorded in 1983 and released on the Danish-based SteepleChase label.-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 4 stars.-Track listing:# "U.M.M.G...
(Steeplechase, 1983) - Glad I Found YouGlad I Found YouGlad I Found You is an album by American jazz pianist Horace Parlan featuring performances recorded in 1984 and released on the Danish-based SteepleChase label.-Reception:...
(Steeplechase, 1984) - Little EstherLittle Esther (album)Little Esther is an album by American jazz pianist Horace Parlan featuring performances recorded in 1987 and released on the Italian-based Soul Note label.-Reception:...
(Soul NoteBlack Saint/Soul NoteBlack Saint and Soul Note are two affiliated Italian jazz independent record labels. Since their conception in the 1970s, they have released albums from a variety of influential jazz musicians, particularly in the genre of free jazz.-History:...
, 1987) - Alone (Steeplechase)
As sideman
With Lou DonaldsonLou Donaldson
Lou Donaldson is a jazz alto saxophonist. He was born in Badin, North Carolina. He is best known for his soulful, bluesy approach to playing the alto saxophone, although in his formative years he was, as many were of the bebop era, heavily influenced by Charlie Parker.His first recordings were...
- The Time is RightThe Time Is RightThe Time Is Right is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Donaldson with Blue Mitchell, Horace Parlan, Laymon Jackson, Dave Bailey, and Ray Barretto with Sam Jones and Al Harewood replacing Jackson and Bailey on one track. The album was...
(1959) - Sunny Side UpSunny Side Up (Lou Donaldson album)Sunny Side Up is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Donaldson with Bill Hardman, Horace Parlan, Sam Jones, Al Harewood, with Laymon Jackson replacing Jones on four tracks...
(1960) - Midnight SunMidnight Sun (Lou Donaldson album)Midnight Sun is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1960 and performed by Donaldson with Horace Parlan, George Tucker, Al Harewood, and Ray Barretto....
(1960)
With Pierre Dorge
- The Jazzpar PrizeThe Jazzpar Prize (album)The Jazzpar Prize is an album by Pierre Dorge's New Jungle Orchestra with David Murray released on the Enja label in recognition of the awarding of the 1991 Danish Jazzpar Prize to Murray...
(1992)
With Booker Ervin
Booker Ervin
Booker Telleferro Ervin II was an American tenor saxophone player. He was perhaps best known for his association with bassist Charles Mingus....
- That's It!That's It!That's It! is an album by American jazz saxophonist Booker Ervin featuring performances recorded in 1961 for the Candid label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4½ stars and stated "Booker Ervin, who always had a very unique sound on the tenor, is heard in prime form on...
(1961) - Exultation!Exultation!Exultation! is an album by American jazz saxophonist Booker Ervin featuring performances recorded in 1963 for the Prestige label.-Reception:...
(1963)
With Dexter Gordon
Dexter Gordon
Dexter Gordon was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and an Academy Award-nominated actor . He is regarded as one of the first and most important musicians to adapt the bebop musical language of people like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell to the tenor saxophone...
- Doin' AllrightDoin' AllrightDoin' Allright is an album by American jazz saxophonist Dexter Gordon recorded in 1961 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4 stars and stating "The title of this Blue Note set, Doin' Allright, fit perfectly at the time, for tenor...
(1961)
With Roland Kirk
- Gifts & MessagesGifts & MessagesGifts & Messages is an album by jazz multi-instrumentalist Roland Kirk. It was originally released on the Mercury label in 1964 and features performances by Kirk with Horace Parlan, Michael Fleming, and Steve Ellington....
(1964) - Slightly LatinSlightly LatinSlightly Latin is an album by jazz multi-instrumentalist Roland Kirk. It was originally released on the Limelight label in 1965 and features performances by Kirk with Virgil Jones, Martin Banks, Garnett Brown, Horace Parlan, Eddie Mathias, Sonny Brown, Montego Joe, Manuel Ramos, Coleridge Perkinson...
(1965)
With Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus Jr. was an American jazz musician, composer, bandleader, and civil rights activist.Mingus's compositions retained the hot and soulful feel of hard bop and drew heavily from black gospel music while sometimes drawing on elements of Third stream, free jazz, and classical music...
- Blues & RootsBlues & RootsBlues & Roots is an album by Charles Mingus, recorded in 1959 and released in 1960. It has been reissued twice as a CD, first by Atlantic Records, and then again by Rhino Entertainment in 1998....
(1959) - Mingus Ah UmMingus Ah UmMingus Ah Um is a jazz album by Charles Mingus, recorded and released on Columbia Records in 1959. It was his first album recorded for Columbia. The cover features a painting by S...
(1959)
With Archie Shepp
Archie Shepp
Archie Shepp is a prominent African-American jazz saxophonist. Shepp is best known for his passionately Afrocentric music of the late 1960s, which focused on highlighting the injustices faced by the African-Americans, as well as for his work with the New York Contemporary Five, Horace Parlan, and...
- Black Ballads (1992)
With Zoot Sims
Zoot Sims
John Haley "Zoot" Sims was an American jazz saxophonist, playing mainly tenor and soprano.-Biography:He was born in Inglewood, California, the son of vaudeville performers Kate Haley and John Sims. Growing up in a performing family, Sims learned to play both drums and clarinet at an early age...
- Motoring Along (1975)
With Stanley Turrentine
Stanley Turrentine
Stanley William Turrentine, also known as "Mr. T" or "The Sugar Man", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.-Biography:Turrentine was born in Pittsburgh's Hill District into a musical family...
- Look Out!Look Out!Look Out! is an album by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine featuring his earliest recordings as a leader on the Blue Note label performed by Turrentine with Horace Parlan, George Tucker and Al Harewood....
(1960) - Comin' Your WayComin' Your WayComin' Your Way is an album by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Turrentine with his brother Tommy Turrentine, Horace Parlan, George Tucker, and Al Harewood...
(1961) - Up at "Minton's"Up at "Minton's"Up at "Minton's" is an live album by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Turrentine with Grant Green, Horace Parlan, George Tucker, and Al Harewood...
(1961) - Jubilee Shout!!!Jubilee Shout!!!Jubilee Shout!!! is an album by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine compiled from two sessions recorded for the Blue Note label, the first performed by Turrentine with his brother Tommy Turrentine, Horace Parlan, George Tucker, and Al Harewood in 1961 and a 1962 session with Kenny Burrell added and...
(1962) - Salt SongSalt SongSalt Song is an album by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine recorded for the CTI Note label featuring performances by Turrentine with an orchestra arranged by Eumir Deodato...
(1971)
With Tommy Turrentine
Tommy Turrentine
Thomas Walter Turrentine, Jr. was a swing and hard bop trumpeter of the 1940s to 1960s, the older brother of saxophonist Stanley Turrentine.-Biography:...
- Tommy Turrentine
External links
- Horace Parlan Hardbop Hompage
- [ Biography at allmusic.com]
- Article at All About Jazz
- Soul Note Catalogue