Corbett vs. Dempsey is very pleased to present William Parker in a rare solo performance.

William Parker (b. 1952) is one of the masters of creative music. A pivotal figure in the New York improvised music scene since he emerged as one of its most active double bassists in the 1970s, Parker came to prominence in various ensembles led by pianist Cecil Taylor; in the last five decades, he has worked with virtually every player in improvised music and he has led his own bands, including Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra and In Order to Survive. A powerful and original bass player, Parker has also dedicated himself to an assortment of other instruments, including various flutes and plucked instruments, such as the West African kora and doussn'gouni. Parker is a hugely generous figure who works tirelessly as a mentor and spark plug for innovative music. He will be in Chicago to perform at the yearly Winter Solstice Evening Concerts with percussionists Michael Zerang and Hamid Drake at Links Hall on December 21 and 22. At CvsD, he will play solo followed by a conversation with John Corbett.

William Parker. Photo by Peter Gannushkin.