Lisa came to New York in 1993 on an Australian government grant to study with Steve Coleman. Since then in the USA, Lisa has performed with such great musicians as -Dave Brubeck, Diane Schuur, Gregory Hines, Rachel Z, Cindy Blackman, Gunther Schuller, Clifford Barbaro, Denis Charles, DIVA, Rob Reddy’s Horn Choir, Kit McClure Big Band, the Jimmy Heath Big Band and the Jimmy Dorsey Big Band. She has toured with the cream of Australia’s ensembles, including John Pochee’s Ten Part Invention, Paul Grabowsky’s Australia Art Orchestra, Lloyd Swanton’s The Catholics, James Morrison’s Big Band, Mara Kiek Quartet and Jackie Orszacksky.
Lisa has received two Australia Council for the Arts grants to study in New York with saxophonists/composers Steve Coleman and Lee Konitz. She also has appeared numerous times on television and in magazines including Downbeat, CMJ Music magazine, Billboard, Vogue (Australia), Dolly and Australian Jazz and Blues.
Lisa currently plays the baritone saxophone chair in DIVA, is a writer and arranger for the Kit McClure Big Band, leads her own trio, and is teaching and freelancing in New York City.
Background
Born in Australia – 100 miles north of Sydney, Lisa started studying clarinet and piano from the age of six. As a teenager she switched to saxophone when she discovered jazz and moved to Sydney after high school with her sister Nicki who had switched to double bass. She studied under Don Burrows at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and graduated with distinction. Lisa’s reputation grew as an innovative bandleader and an in demand freelancer around the Sydney scene. Recognition of her talent was evident in her nomination for the Mo Award’s Best Female Jazz Performer in 1991 and 1992. She also placed 3rd in the 1994 Australian Jazz Saxophone Competition at the Wangaratta International Jazz Festival. Lisa has been leading her own groups since 1989 with Influences ranging from jazz and western classical music, as well as Eastern European folk music, African and Indian music. These groups included: the acclaimed Melody Rhythm Ensemble, Lisa Parrott Trio, Matambo (ABC recording 1995), and NUDE (co-led with bassist Cameron Undy). PLK Trio is a co-led trio with Chris Lightcap (bass) and Heinrich Koebberling (drums). They have been together since late 1996, performing at the Knitting Factory as well as other performance spaces in New York. In December 1998, they released a CD Bab Bab on Goat Angel Records and toured Germany performing their original music at the Kassel International Jazz Festival, as well as jazz clubs in Hamburg and Berlin. In March 2000, Lisa performed in Singapore for International Women’s Month and subsequently spent 4 weeks touring Australia performing and recording her own music.
Discography
2001 – Nicki and Lisa Parrott The Awabakal Suite, to be released, NY
2001 -Derek Bronston Group Ebb, Labor Records
2000 – Don Aldolfo Ritmo Caliente, Independent, NY
1999 – Derek Bronston Group Longing, Hacate Entertainment Group, New York
1998 – PLK Trio Bab Bab, Goat Angel Records, New York
1998 – DIVA I Believe In You, Independent, New York
1995 – Kate Swadling, Jazztrack recording for ABC-Australia
1995 – Tanya Sparkes, ABC Records-Australia
1993 – NUDE Side of Clues, Newmarket Music-New York
1992 – Dorian Mode Rebirth of the Cool, Spiral Scratch Records-Australia
1991 – John Foreman No Jivin’, BMG Records-Australia
1991 – Jackie Orszacsky 100%, Wright Records-Australia
1989 – Mike Nock Ensemble, Jazztrack recording for ABC-Australia
1988 – Feet Music, Jazztrack recording for ABC-Australia
Lisa’s Set Up:
- Low Bb Martin Baritone Saxophone
- Rubber Otto Link 8* MouthpieceVisit Lisa Parrott’s site