Hi-Res Artist Photo (1.7 MB, 300 dpi 4.3" x 6.5" Ross Pelton)

Mariah Parker (composer and multi-instrumentalist), while completing her degree in music at UC Santa Cruz, worked with ethnomusicologist Fred Lieberman and Mickey Hart on the Planet Drum project. She has performed in festivals in the US and Europe, and worked with many musicians including composer Pauline Oliveros, the late Dumisani Maraire (renowned composer from Zimbabwe) and others. She has studied with jazz great Art Lande and Latin jazz pianist extraordinaire Rebeca Mauléon, and performs regularly with the trend-setting world music group Ancient Future.

4.5" x 5.0" 300 dpi jpg (1.4 MB)

Contributing to the unique sound of this recording, Mariah's ensemble includes: Matthew Montfort, trailblazing pioneer of scalloped fretboard guitar (an instrument combining qualities of the South Indian vina and the steel string guitar); Paul McCandless, 2-time Grammy Award nominee and woodwind virtuoso; Kash Killion, first-call bass player and multi-instrumentalist with Sun Ra Arkestra, Cecil Taylor and others; Mindia Devi Klein, award-winning composer and bansuri and jazz flutist; Duru Demetrius, latin percussionist with jazz icons such as Joe Henderson and Herbie Hancock; Anuradha Pal, world's premiere female tabla player; Debopriyo Sarkar, tabla virtuoso whose recent tours include Kronos Quartet; Brian Rice, versatile percussionist with players such as Mike Marshall.

 

Reviews

"This is an excellent album from pianist Mariah Parker, whose work is best described as world jazz. Parker brings a wide variety of influences to 'Sangria,' ranging from Indian and Middle Eastern music to Afro-Cuban salsa and Brazilian samba.  Parker, of course, didn't invent the idea of world jazz.... but she keeps it moving forward; Parker takes chances, demonstrating that the fusion of jazz and world music still has plenty of possibilities after all these years -- and a global perspective serves Parker well throughout the rewarding ‘Sangria.’" — All Music Guide

"This collection of eight original instrumentals by Mariah Parker is just one of many examples of the infusion of East Indian music into Western music, but to my ears one of the most successful. There are also influences of Spanish folk, flamenco, Afro-Cuban and Persian music. Indian tablas and bansuri flute are heard on many of the tracks, and noted English horn/soprano sax artist Paul McCandless graces two of the tracks. Guitarist Matthew Montfort plays a special scalloped fretboard guitar, and on the track 'Tenth Journey,' a typical Hindustani rhythmic vocal improvisation is featured. There are also interesting alternate time signatures which add to the exotic blend of instruments. This album grew out of the path-breaking work of Ancient Future, one of the first ensembles to explore the now-active genre of world music." — Audiophile Audition

"With her music and her soul, Mariah Parker transcends musical categorization and gives us a window to an ideal world. Her music is uplifting, peaceful yet passionate, and always evolving. The collective spirit of the players on Sangria shines through, enveloping you with exotic texture and inventive play, but what captivates us is Parker’s gift for melody. Although instrumental, her pieces speak and sing to us, sometimes whispering, sometimes asserting, and always giving us great pleasure. Sangria is a glimpse into this remarkable woman’s soul, where we find comfort and excitement in her compositional journey." — Rebeca Mauléon (Bay area pianist, composer and educator at the forefront of Latin Jazz)

"Parker kicks off her solo career with a well textured world beat date that finds her multi-instrumentalist abilities and her wide open ears leading the way. There’s nothing but pros on board here who know what to do and they do it in a lively, spontaneous fashion that really grabs you. First class world beat that really covers the bases." — Midwest Record

"'Sangria' promises a journey to a world where boundaries simply do not exist, where music is the language of the heart." — Chandi Devi, Editor-in-Chief, Karmacaffe.com