The Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau continues Jazz in the Park tonight. The featured musicians are Walter Henderson and Chris Parker.
Walter Henderson is a trumpeter, flugelhornist, puccolist and vocalist. Originally from Little Rock, he has developed his many musical skills from artists such as John Stubblefield, James Leary, York Wilborn, Donald E. Kramer, Pharaoh Sanders, Art Porter and Sylvia M. Clay.
He served with the 60th U.S. Army Band and studied music at Little Rock University and at Governors State University, where he gained popularity with the GSU Jazz Sextet. The group toured Europe, the Far East, and was twice winner of the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival.
Most notably, he is a 1987 Musicfest USA National Finals Winner in Chicago. He has performed for the Richard Muhal Richard Big Band, was leader of the Chicago band Inner Drive and also led The Raconteurs. He has been an active member of the Rocking Robins Rhythm Kings, and has performed with Leslie Gore, Little Anthony, Frankie Avalon, Dick Clark, Lou Christie, Bobby Lewis, and Del Shannon. Upon different occasions, he has appeared with Redd Foxx, Richard Boone, The Four Tops, Captain Jack McDuff, Buddy Guy, Ken Booth, and Lord Lara. He was a principal in the Little Rock Brazilian jazz-pop band, Circo Verde.
Chris Parker was born in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He first learned from local Arkansas musicians, most notably: Charles Thomas, Art Porter, Sr., Bob Steele, Lee Tomboulian, and Michael Bates. Chris moved to Memphis, TN in 1991. There he received his BA degree from the University of Memphis and learned from/ studied with musicians including Gene Rush, James Williams, Herman Green, Fred Ford, Calvin Newborn, Bill Mobley, Alvin Fielder, Kidd Jordan, Joe Jennings, and Vernel Fournier.
Chris also spent several years in New York City where he learned from masters including: Benny Powell, Chris Anderson, Walter Perkins, Sonelius Smith, Barry Harris, George Braith, Warren Smith, and Bill Fielder.
Chris has performed/worked with: Harold Ousley, Benny Powell, Frank Lacy, Michael Marcus, Warren Smith, Andy McCloud, Roy Campbell, Jr., Wendell Harrison, Kiane Zawadi, Frank Lowe, Alvin Fielder, Joe Jennings, Earl May, Fred Ford, and Herman Green. Also informally with: Rashied Ali, George Braith, Frank Grant, Talib Kibwe, and Sonny Simmons.
Chris is also active in educational activities. He has worked as a teacher/artist with organizations including: Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp (New Orleans, LA), Mind Builders Arts School (Bronx, NY), Memphis Black Arts Alliance (Memphis, TN), Memphis Arts Council (Memphis, TN)
Jazz in the Park takes place Wednesday night in June and July from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. They will take place in the History Pavilion in Riverfront Park (between the Junction Bridge and Peabody Park).
Beer & Wine will be available for sale – to benefit Sculpture at the River Market…so no coolers, please. Free to attend!
Movies in the Park continues tonight. As the night gets dark, this week’s feature will be 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises. This follow up to the 2008 film was again directed by Christopher Nolan from a screenplay he wrote with his brother Jonathan.
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