Rick Parker moved to New York in September 2001 and has performed at many of the city’s top jazz clubs, including Birdland. He is also a member Kuumba Frank Lacy’s Vibe Tribe. Rick was also invited to the Kennedy Center’s “Betty Carter Jazz Ahead”, invitation-only workshop for composers/soloists. He studied with Curtis Fuller and Dr. Nathan Davis, as well as Eric Reid. He was also the Eastern Trombone Workshop National Solo Competition runner-up in March 2002. After graduating from Georgetown University, he has a B.A. Rick graduated from Georgetown University with a B.A. in Economics. He has since begun his studies towards his masters degree in jazz performance at New York University. Rick was born in 1978 and has performed in many venues around the world, including at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center and Birdland Blues Alley (DC), Jazz Club in Argentina and Oliveria Always in Argentina. Conrad Herwig and Frank Lacy taught him. Per Brevig also studied with Don Freidman, Don Freidman, Steve Davis, Steve Davis, and Don Freidman. Rick made a name for his self in DC jazz, where he played with the Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra (16-piece), a group for whom he also composed. He also performed with various salsa bands. A Work In Progress and Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra feature Rick. One Too Many also features him. Thad Wilson, a trumpeter and composer, was born in 1965. He is now one of Washington’s most prominent jazz musicians. The Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra, his big band, plays almost exclusively original compositions and arrangements. They currently perform weekly at HR57 in Washington DC. Andrew White, Grady Tate, and Johnny Oneal have collaborated and arranged for him. He has also performed with Wynton Marsalis, George Benson, McCoy Tyner and Benny Golson. Thad has led groups at venues such as the Atlanta Jazz Festival, Blues Alley, and currently performs with Inner Urge and the North/South Ensemble in five-piece ensembles. He can be found on Naked Jazz Takes Off and Savoy Jazz Label. from http://www.freshsoundrecords.com
