Walter Parazaider
Encyclopedia
Walter Parazaider is best known for being a founding member and saxophone
player for the rock band Chicago
. He also plays the flute
and other woodwind instruments in the band, including clarinet
. On the hit "You're Not Alone," he played backing rhythm guitar.
Parazaider began playing the clarinet at the age of 9. As a teenager, his growing talent was being groomed for a career as a professional orchestral musician, and he gained a Bachelor of Arts
degree in classical clarinet performance from DePaul University
.
Inspired by the Beatles hit "Got To Get You Into My Life
", Parazaider became enamored with the idea of creating a rock 'n' roll band with horns. Early practice sessions at Parazaider's house included guitarist Terry Kath
and drummer Danny Seraphine
, who were both friends during his teenage years. Another friend who became involved was future Chicago producer James William Guercio.
The band, originally called The Big Thing, eventually became Chicago
with the addition of Lee Loughnane
on trumpet, James Pankow
on trombone, Robert Lamm
on keyboards and Peter Cetera
on bass. Parazaider's primary musical role in the band has consisted of playing saxophone, flute, and woodwinds on James Pankow's horn arrangements. Never a prolific writer, Parazaider's compositional contributions ("It Better End Soon: 2nd Movement", "Free Country", "Aire", "Devil's Sweet", "Window Dreamin'") have been minimal relative to the other members.
Parazaider performs the highly recognizable flute solo in the Chicago hit "Colour My World", which became a popular 'slow-dance' song at high school proms during the 1970s.
In 2008, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by DePaul University.
He is also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
and will be given the National Citation as well as being recognized as Signature Sinfonian along with fellow Chicago members and Sinfonians on August 26, 2009.
A member of Chicago since its inception, Parazaider continues to tour extensively with the band (and is occasionally filled in for by Ray Herrmann
). Walt has been married to his wife JacLynn for almost four decades and has two children, Laura and Felicia.
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
player for the rock band Chicago
Chicago (band)
Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
. He also plays the flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
and other woodwind instruments in the band, including clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
. On the hit "You're Not Alone," he played backing rhythm guitar.
Parazaider began playing the clarinet at the age of 9. As a teenager, his growing talent was being groomed for a career as a professional orchestral musician, and he gained a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in classical clarinet performance from DePaul University
DePaul University
DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul...
.
Inspired by the Beatles hit "Got To Get You Into My Life
Got to Get You into My Life
"Got to Get You into My Life" is a song by The Beatles, first released in 1966 on the album Revolver. Written by Paul McCartney , it made prominent use of a brass section...
", Parazaider became enamored with the idea of creating a rock 'n' roll band with horns. Early practice sessions at Parazaider's house included guitarist Terry Kath
Terry Kath
Terry Alan Kath , born in Chicago, Illinois, was the original guitarist and founding member of the rock band Chicago...
and drummer Danny Seraphine
Danny Seraphine
Daniel Peter "Danny" Seraphine is an American drummer, record producer, theatrical producer and film producer, best known for being the original drummer and founding member of the rock group Chicago, a tenure which lasted from February 1967 to May 1990.-Early life:Danny Seraphine was born in...
, who were both friends during his teenage years. Another friend who became involved was future Chicago producer James William Guercio.
The band, originally called The Big Thing, eventually became Chicago
Chicago (band)
Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
with the addition of Lee Loughnane
Lee Loughnane
Lee Loughnane , born 21 October 1946 in Elmwood Park, Illinois to Juanita Wall and Philip Louis Loughnane, is an American trumpeter, flugelhorn player, vocalist, and songwriter, best known for being a founding member of the rock band Chicago.- Biography :...
on trumpet, James Pankow
James Pankow
James Carter "Jimmy" Pankow is an American trombone player, songwriter and brass instrument arranger best known as a founding member of the rock band Chicago.-Early life:...
on trombone, Robert Lamm
Robert Lamm
Robert William Lamm is an American keyboardist, singer and songwriter who came to fame as a founding member of the pop rock band Chicago...
on keyboards and Peter Cetera
Peter Cetera
Peter Paul Cetera is an American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career...
on bass. Parazaider's primary musical role in the band has consisted of playing saxophone, flute, and woodwinds on James Pankow's horn arrangements. Never a prolific writer, Parazaider's compositional contributions ("It Better End Soon: 2nd Movement", "Free Country", "Aire", "Devil's Sweet", "Window Dreamin'") have been minimal relative to the other members.
Parazaider performs the highly recognizable flute solo in the Chicago hit "Colour My World", which became a popular 'slow-dance' song at high school proms during the 1970s.
In 2008, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by DePaul University.
He is also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is an American collegiate social fraternity for men with a special interest in music...
and will be given the National Citation as well as being recognized as Signature Sinfonian along with fellow Chicago members and Sinfonians on August 26, 2009.
A member of Chicago since its inception, Parazaider continues to tour extensively with the band (and is occasionally filled in for by Ray Herrmann
Ray Herrmann
Ray Herrmann is a saxophonist from Chicago, IL. He performs jazz with other artists such as Kathy Ball and Frank Josephs. His music has also been widely heard on The Weather Channel's local on the 8s segment with popular songs such as "Cocoon", "Above the Horizon", "Park Place", "Northern Lights",...
). Walt has been married to his wife JacLynn for almost four decades and has two children, Laura and Felicia.