Short Bio
Chris Parker is a multi-instrumentalist and music educator from Indiana, USA. During his time living in both New York City and Indiana, he has performed or recorded with Randy Brecker, Greg Ward, Chris Potter, Dave Stryker, Rich Perry, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Scott Wendholt, Jim Ridl, Tim Armacost, Charlie Ballantine, Jamey Aebersold, Frank Glover, Jim Snidero, Rob and Dixon, to name a few. In addition to an extensive discography as a sideman, his debut album as a leader (“Moving Forward Now”) and 2-track EP (“Interstate EP”) are available on all online music platforms. He received his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in the Spring of 2022. Parker now resides in Vienna, Austria where he works as a freelance musician and private lesson instructor. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Jazz Music from Kunstuniversität Graz (AT).
Long Bio
A native of Bloomington, Indiana, Chris Parker is a jazz drummer, composer, bandleader, and educator. He holds a Bachelor of Music (Jazz) from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where he studied privately with Steve Houghton, Sean Dobbins, and Greg Ward. Prior to the pandemic, Parker split his time between New York City and the Midwest where he performed/recorded with Dave Stryker, Rich Perry, Scott Wendholt, Randy Brecker, Greg Ward, Chris Potter, Jim Ridl, Amanda Gardier, Charlie Ballantine, Jamey Aebersold, Frank Glover, Jim Snidero, and Rob Dixon.
Parker’s musical upbringing in Bloomington, IN facilitated his study of multiple instruments apart from the drums, including euphonium/trombone, bass, saxophone, guitar. As a bandleader and composer, he has released two recordings: “Moving Forward Now” (self-released, 2017) and “Interstate EP” (Instru-Mental, 2020).
While in Bloomington, Parker was heavily involved in the organization “B’Town Jazz”, a jazz society serving south-central Indiana. Serving in several roles (president, vice-president) he coordinated the 2021 B’Town Jazz Festival (featuring Randy Brecker) and orchestrated multiple educational outreach initiatives for local youth music programs. He also served as the student jam session coordinator for the Jazz Education Network’s annual conferences from 2015-2019, and was on the JENerations Jazz Festival committee.
Parker recently moved to Vienna, Austria, and has enjoyed performing with many musicians in its thriving music scene. Amidst an active performance/teaching schedule, he is currently pursuing his Masters in Jazz Music from Kunstuniversität Graz (AT).