Leo Parker (April 18, 1925 – February 11, 1962) [1] was an American jazz musician, who primarily played baritone saxophone. Parker was the earliest baritone saxophonist to play bebop. [2] Born in Washington, D.C., [1] Parker studied alto saxophone in high school and played this instrument on a recording with Coleman Hawkins in 1944. [1]

Leo Parker – Let Me Tell You 'Bout It. Original 1961 US MONO (Blue Note BLP 4087) Original Jazz Vinyl ...more

A Native of Washington, D.C., Parker’s first instrument was the alto saxophone, and on that instrument, he played on Coleman Hawkins’ 1944 recording sessions which produced what would later be dubbed the ‘first bebop recordings.’

Jul 9, 2005 · Leo Parker was the proud owner of a big, beefy baritone sax tone and a fluent technique that struck a great match between the gritty, down-home feeling of R&B and the advanced harmonies of bebop.

May 6, 2022 · Leo Parker, the mad sax “wiz” and king of the baritones, will bring his seven-piece combo into the ASTORIA tonight (Friday) for a limited engagement. Parker played an important part in Illinois Jacquet’s “terrif” crew.

Leo Parker (April 18, 1925, Washington, D.C. - February 11, 1962, New York City) was an American jazz musician who played baritone saxophone. Parker studied alto saxophone in high school, and played this instrument on a recording with Coleman Hawkins in 1944.

Jul 14, 2024 · Leo Parker is one of the most under-recorded and under-appreciated baritone saxophonists of the bebop era. Like many jazz musicians in the late 1940s and early '50s, Parker succumbed to drug addiction and recorded far too little as a leader.

Leo Parker was the proud owner of a big, beefy baritone sax tone and a fluent technique that struck a great match between the gritty, down-home feeling of R&B and the advanced harmonies of bebop.

Leo Parker was born on April 18, 1925 in Washington D.C. and is generally regarded as one of the most important and earliest bebop baritone saxophone players.