For his debut recording as a leader, bassist Matthew Parrish has put together an impressive pastiche of his lineage (Ray Brown to Christian McBride); his studies at Rutgers University (Kenny Barron and Larry Ridley); his varied experience as a sideman (Clark Terry, Sweets Edison, Wynton Marsalis); and above all, his U.S./European tour with Al Grey, from 1997 until the trombonist’s death in 2000. Circle is dedicated to Grey.
Now becoming a fixture in the New York/Philly club and studio scenes (he lives in Yardley, Pa., giving him access to both), this CD should solidify Parrish’s reputation for composing, arranging and playing any idiom that swings.
Become a JazzTimes member to explore our complete archive of interviews, profiles, columns, and reviews written by music's best journalists and critics.