JD PARRAN / Window Spirits
JD Parran (double wooden flutes, bass saxophone, clarinet, altoflute, mbira)
"Each piece brings a world of surprise and drips with keen ear for detail. “Window Spirits” is a fine record shining attention to a talent that has rarely been brought to full spotlight." - Tom Sekowski, Flashes of Timeless Joy
"JD represents the ideal performer of my music. He combines a profound understanding of the composer's intention with an expressive individual voice that is both nuanced and dramatic." - Anthony Davis
"This recorded solo performance, Window Spirits, manifests memories, dreams and feelings expressed in my life through music. Here, on this plain called life, we can experience existence on level ground with the ancestors." -J D Parran
This truly wonderful new release by JD Parran, performing solo, was recorded live at the Kampo Cultural Center. The event was a celebration of Parran's 50 years of music making. For a composer and performer who has played for so long and with so many people this solo CD -- luminous, lyrical, and difficult -- is long-overdue. Playing a variety of instruments, Parran focuses on improvisations of the moment: visions of his solo compositions developed during his years of creative music work. He also takes the opportunity to perform works by Anthony Davis and James Jabbo Ware, composers who have written for Parran and featured his instrumental voice in their music.
TRACK LIST
Processional (4:55)
Helmut's Challenge (6:05)
James Jabbo Ware: Emotions (11:00)
Anthony Davis: Parenthetically (5:09)
Chang Gang (7:43)
Solo for Alto Clarinet (6:24)
C80 (7:22)
Spearmanon (9:40)
3 X Spearman (4:25)
REVIEWS
Tom Sekowski, Flashes of Timeless Joy
Not everyone is apt to record a solo album. The nakedness and fragility the musician feels when they step out on stage [or into the studio] is unnerving for most. JD Parran felt no remorse and had no qualms in putting down his music on tape in a solo format. “Window Spirits” runs the gamut and sees this talent tackle not only his work on bass sax, but also runs heavy in the flute and clarinet departments. “3 x Spearman” [Parran’s tribute to great horn-man Glenn Spearmann] even sees him recite an elongated poem that is accompanied by his lyrical work on the mbira. While his work on bass sax is stunning [check out the brisk beauty on “Helmut’s Challenge”], it’s Parran’s clarinet and flute work that draws my attention. Listen to the way he masterfully runs through the challenges of Anthony Davis piece “Parenthetically” or the passion he exudes on alto flute throughout the austere “Chang Gang”. Each piece brings a world of surprise and drips with keen ear for detail. “Window Spirits” is a fine record shining attention to a talent that has rarely been brought to full spotlight.
