MOM: Jeff Parker.

about

Jeff Parker is widely recognised as one of contemporary music’s most versatile and innovative electric guitarists and composers.

Jeff is well-known as the longtime guitarist for the Chicago–based quintet Tortoise, one of the most critically revered, sonically adventurous groups to emerge from the American underground of the early nineties. The band’s often hypnotic, largely instrumental sound eludes easy definition, drawing freely from rock, jazz, electronic, and avant-garde music, garnering a huge following over the past three decades.

Parker’s prolific output covers everything from jazz to new music, electronic to hip hop. What is consistent across all output is his drive for innovation and experimentation, creating music that is all-at-once familiar, yet radical; clear, yet abstract.

Alongside his work with Tortoise, Jeff is also a founding member of Isotope 217 and Chicago Underground and considered an integral part of what has become known as ‘The Modern Chicago Sound’. A look at his extensive work as a collaborator and session musician offers a glimpse into his diversity; Jaimie Branch, Toumani Diabate, Makaya McCraven, Yo La Tengo, Daniel Lanois, Ken Vandermark, Tom Zé, Clipping, and hundreds more.

Since 2016, Parker’s relationship with Chicago’s highly revered International Anthem label has yielded four albums. His most recent, 2021’s Forfolks, is a heavily meditative blend of loops, improvisations and mesmeric playing.

Don’t miss your chance to catch one of the most formidable solo talents in modern jazz.

“an ability to create entire new sonic worlds from the tiniest of elements” – MOJO

“the quiet confidence with which Parker proclaims there is something else to say with just six strings and a few effects feels like a revelation” – Pitchfork