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Reunion

Chris Parker

Label: Circle 9
Released: 2026
Views: 1,119

Tracks

Emmy’s Shuffle; Say It Again; Just a Thought; Stages; Been This Way Before; Left at Bingen; Reunion; Stand Back; Boonchaka; Hymn; To You (for Teresia); One for CB.

Personnel

Album Description

This is a Reunion that {{Chris Parker}} was lucky to celebrate. In August 2023, eight months after recording his fifth album as leader and while vacationing in his native Oregon, Parker suffered a serious stroke that left him (temporarily) unable to walk or use his left hand when playing the piano. Before that misfortune struck, Parker had re-scored for septet a dozen songs he’d been playing for years in various formats from solo or trio to quartet or quintet and recorded them in January 2023. In other words, a reunion not so much with fellow musicians as with his musical past.

It is evident from the first tantalizing notes of “Emmy’s Shuffle” that Parker chose his songs and his companions with care. The septet performs seamlessly as a unit and boasts a number of strong and resourceful soloists, from saxophonist {{Alejandro Aviles}} and trombonist {{Doug Beavers}} to baritone {{Dave Riekenberg}}, violinist {{Rob Thomas}} and Parker himself who plays the sort of chameleon-like piano that nestles comfortably in any groove—which is a good thing, as the scope of his music ranges from blues and bop to funk, Latin, mainstream jazz and beyond.

Aviles (alto), Parker, Riekenbeg and bassist {{Tony Marino}} solo on “Emmy’s Shuffle,” Parker and Thomas on the gospel-oriented “Say It Again,” Thomas and Beavers on the robust samba “Just a Thought,” wherein dummer {{Marko Marcinko}} and percussionist {{Luisito Quintero}} drive the rhythmic engine, as they do on every number. Funk enters the equation in “Stages” and “Been This Way Before,” preceding a sharp and syncopated “Left at Bingen.” Parker is impressive there, as he is alongside Aviles (alto) on the album’s shimmering title song, and with Aviles (soprano), Thomas and Beavers on the rough-and-ready “Stand Back.”

“Boonchaka” is a bright and passionate tango, “Hymn” exactly what the name suggests, “To You (for Teresia)” a warmhearted salute to Parker’s wife on which his eloquent solo piano is showcased. The scampering finale, “One for CB,” is marked by a classic New Orleans vibe, more strong rhythmic and harmonic support from the ensemble, and resourceful solos by Parker, Aviles (alto), Thomas and Riekenberg. A marvelous way to end a smart and successful Reunion.