Modern Percussionist
Parker James is a Nashville-based musician comfortable in diverse styles and modes of expression, from jazz improvisation to established concert repertoire. You can hear him speak freely and fluently on vibraphone, drum set, timpani, and any multitude of percussive implements.
Upcoming Shows
April 2024
4/11 - Vinyl Tap - w/ Paul DeFiglia and Anson Hohne - 7-9:30PM
4/14 - Reunion - w/ Paul DeFiglia and Anson Hohne - 7:30-10PM
4/20 - The Groove - w/ Volunteer Department - 2PM
4/25 - Vinyl Tap - w/ Paul DeFiglia and Anson Hohne - 7-9:30PM
May 2024
5/9 - Frist Auditorium - Discorporation presented by Curtis Godino - 7PM
5/16 - Vinyl Tap - w/ Paul DeFiglia and Anson Hohne - 7-9:30PM
5/22 - Frist Cafe - w/ Paul DeFiglia and Anson Hohne
5/30 - Vinyl Tap - w/ Paul DeFiglia and Anson Hohne - 7-9:30PM
About
Parker James is a multi-faceted percussionist with a well-rounded approach to his musicianship. He is involved in activities ranging from solo jazz vibraphone, through which his singular voice is best heard, to orchestral and chamber percussion, as well as percussion and jazz education.
As a vibraphonist, Parker has developed a dynamic approach to solo improvisation, drawing heavily from the jazz tradition while incorporating his myriad influences ranging from contemporary classical music, to Brazilian music and hip hop. He performs regularly in Nashville at jazz clubs, rock venues, and coffee shops. Parker also plays vibes with the Nashville-based indie rock band Volunteer Department. His work with the group earned him praise from Nashville Scene for his “fine form.” He is in demand in Nashville as a freelance vibraphonist for live bands and recording sessions, and is one of the only vibes specialists in town. Parker continues to champion the vibraphone as a cross-genre instrument.
Parker also has an active career in orchestral and chamber percussion, with an ear toward the integration of varied percussion instruments in multiple genres of music. His timpani playing can be heard on the Indigo Girls album “Live with the University of Colorado Orchestra,” as well as on Ava Luna’s album “Histoire de Melody Nelson.” As a charter member of Colorado’s Boulder Altitude Directive (B.A.D.), led by composer and Pulitzer Prize finalist Carter Pann, Parker had the opportunity to premiere many works by young composers.
Parker performs as a longtime percussionist with the electric guitar group Ensemble AMP, an Indianapolis group devoted to the performance of works by contemporary and up-and-coming composers. The group champions works by Steve Reich, Phillip Glass, and Frederic Rzewski, as well as lesser-known music, such as the metal-infused work of Brendon Randall-Meyers. He has also worked closely with the Percussive Arts Society and Classical Music Indy to mount performances of works by John Luther Adams. PAS has tapped Parker as a performer and clinician at the society’s Rhythm Discovery Center percussion museum.
An alumnus of the University of Colorado, Boulder (M.M.) and Ball State University (B.S. Music Media Production), Parker studied with Douglas Walter, Braham Dembar, Erwin Mueller, Jeff Jenkins, Scott Routenberg, and others. He undertook additional studies at the Aspen Music Festival and School in 2017, where he studied with Jonathan Haas and played side-by-side with some of the world’s foremost orchestral percussionists, such as Cynthia Yeh, Javon Gilliam, Ed Stephan, and Tom Stubbs.
Parker is an experienced teacher. In 2019 he was hired as an adjunct instructor of applied percussion at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis (IUPUI). He has taught at many school districts around Indiana, teaching ensembles, classes and private lessons. His students range from elementary-age beginners to adults. Parker currently lives in Nashville, TN with his partner, three cats, and Pomeranian, and goes hiking as much as he can.
Armando’s Rhumba
Recorded in Nashville, TN on 2/20/2022 as an audition video.
It Is What It Is
I recorded this beautiful Thundercat tune on 2/23/2024.