Evan Parker Essentials
While his early influence was the cool sound of Paul Desmond, British saxophonist Evan Parker quickly dove headfirst into the world of free jazz in the late '60s. Since then, he has found favour in both worlds, blasting muscular tones and volume alongside titans like Peter Brötzmann, Anthony Braxton and Roscoe Mitchell, smoothing out the edges with his solo efforts and collaborations with Robert Wyatt and David Sylvian. Rightfully revered, Parker has an impressive discography to choose from that features sounds both challenging and pleasing, chaotic and controlled.