William Parker - Universal Tonality / 2CD set

William Parker’s Universal Tonality documents an epic performance which brings his titular concept to full, vibrant life. An exquisite example of this system in practice, it features a truly once-in-a-lifetime assembly of creative music luminaries and legends.

Clocking in at nearly two hours and featuring six extended pieces flowing across two discs, this Universal Tonality happening took place in December 2002. Parker invited 16 musicians of various ages, cultures and musical backgrounds – to join him in an experiment of “breathing together.” Many of them met on stage for the first time that evening. While he provided a score (wonderfully illustrated pages from same are included in the package), all were advised that there need not be adherence to it. Parker’s hope with this approach is that each musician will trust their own instincts — and those of the musicians around them — enough to let the sound find its shape in real time. Ranging from roof-raising big band to intimate cross-cultural exchanges, that constant current of inspiration, and open, receptive communication was wholly present at Roulette that night, and is on full display on this magical recording.

Lyrics and personal writings by Parker – which Leena Conquest sings, recites, or dramatically interprets – also play a key role in this work. Parker gave Conquest the same freedom of choice he afforded the instrumentalists, supplying her with materials to draw on as she saw fit.

When discussing or writing on his Universal Tonality concept as a whole (as on the enclosed, extensive liner notes), Parker can sound like he’s outlining a life philosophy. It is both telling and fitting that author Cisco Bradley chose to title his 2021 biography of William Parker after this concept.

Recorded at Roulette, TriBeCa, NYC
December 14, 2002

Jin Hi Kim - komungo
Miya Masaoka - koto
Billy Bang - violin
Jason Kao Hwang - violin
Joe Morris - guitar
Dave Burrell - piano
Leena Conquest - voice
Steve Swell - trombone
Grachan Moncur Ill - trombone
Daniel Carter - reeds, brass
Matt Lavelle - trumpet
Rob Brown - alto sax
Cale Brandley - tenor sax
Jerome Cooper - balafon, chiramía, keys, drums
Roger Blank - balafon
William Parker - bass, dilruba, shakuhachi, donso’ngoni
Gerald Cleaver - drums