Mariah Parker has been playing music from the time she could reach the keys on the grand piano in
her family home. As a composer, pianist and bandleader her work crosses cultural boundaries with an
exuberant quest for defying musical labels or categorization. Her academic tenure at UC Santa Cruz
was distinguished by her involvement with ethnomusicologist Fred Lieberman and the iconic drummer
Mickey Hart on the “Planet Drum” project, marking her early foray into the fusion of musical traditions.
Parker’s prowess as a composer and bandleader was further cemented through her vibrant performances in
festivals in the U.S. and Europe. Her discography began with the critically acclaimed Sangria in
February 2009, followed by Indo Latin Jazz Live in Concert in 2017, which enjoyed 16 weeks of prominence
on the National Jazzweek Airplay chart. Both albums have been celebrated globally for their innovative
soundscapes and compositional brilliance. Her latest album, Windows Through Time, was released on June
14th and in that first week hit #1 Jazz Adds on the NACC chart as well as hitting the Most Adds chart on Jazzweek.
PRESS RELEASE EXCERPT:
Mariah Parker's New Release, Windows Through Time
"Windows Through Time is Mariah Parker’s latest exploration into the depths of Latin jazz, articulated through the lens
of her unique musical vision. This album is a confluence of cultures, time periods, and musical expressions, encapsulated
within seven masterfully crafted tracks. Each piece is a vignette, offering listeners a portal into varied emotional
landscapes and narratives, meticulously woven together by Parker and her ensemble of accomplished musicians. The new album brings together a constellation of musicians whose contributions are cohesive and interactive. The interplay between Claudia Villela’s haunting vocals and Paul McCandless’ saxophone on the title track exemplifies the album’s synergistic spirit, creating a dialogue that is magical and transformative. Matthew Montfort, known for his pioneering work on scalloped fretboard guitar, introduces a unique timbral quality that blends seamlessly with the intricate rhythms provided by the ensemble. This collaborative approach enriches the album’s sound palette but also embodies Parker’s vision of bridging musical traditions through shared creativity and exploration.
Album personnel: Mariah Parker (composition, piano), Paul McCandless (woodwinds), Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard & electric guitars), Mark Walker (drums), Gary Brown(bass), Sascha Jacobsen(bass), Kash Killion(bass), Daniel Feldman (percussion), Michaelle Goerlitz (percussion), Ian Dogole (percussion). Featuring Special Guest vocalist Claudia Villela on the title track.
"Windows Through Time is masterful!" — Rebeca Mauléon, Director, Education, SF Jazz
"This is a beautiful recording in all its aspects, from the carefully crafted compositions to the flawless interpretation of the musicians to the balance of the mix.... Very enjoyable!" — Jovino Santos Neto, 3-time Grammy nominee"
~ Full Press Release - MariahParkerMusic.com
REVIEWS:
Windows Through Time
Paris-Move.com“One of the most beautiful and surprising releases of 2024” — Thierry De Clemensat, US correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine ... Link to full review https://www.paris-move.com/reviews/mariah-parker-windows-through-time-eng-review/ ~ Thierry De Clemensat - Paris-Move.com
Jazz Sensibilities
“Genre-bending brilliance….with Windows Through Time, Mariah Parker cements her position as a leading voice in contemporary music”... Link to full review https://jazzsensibilities.com/latin/mariah-parker-windows-through-time-review/ ~ Jazz Sensibilities …
Indo Latin Jazz Live in Concert
"Marin may be known as a rock ’n’ roll county, but it’s also home to some of the foremost
musicians in global fusion — a form of acoustic jazz that requires melodic invention,
masterful musicianship and fearless improvisation. Eight of the best players on the planet
are featured on pianist Mariah Parker’s new album, “Indo Latin Jazz Live in Concert,” recorded
at Yoshi’s in Oakland, Berkeley’s Freight & Salvage, the 142 Throckmorton Theater in Mill
Valley and Bob Weir’s TRI Studios in San Rafael." - ~ Paul Liberatore - Marinij.com
VIDEOS:
Mariah Parker - Espiritu SambaMariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble performs Affinity Minus One at Yoshi's
Mariah Parker - Sangria
