William Parker: Classical Musician in New York

About William Parker

William Parker is an American double bassist whose work sits at the intersection of classical discipline and the open forms of free and experimental jazz. Since the 1980s he has been a key figure in New York’s creative-music scene, including a long tenure performing with pianist Cecil Taylor and ongoing leadership of the Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra. At Roulette, he appears in projects like M3 Festival 2026 alongside Terri Lyne Carrington, Theo Bleckmann, and Martha Redbone. His playing favors momentum and collective listening over display.