Bryan Parris,
Bryan Parris, has had a very diverse musical career, from playing in some of Trinidad's top steel bands,(Tokyo, Starlift, Phase 2), to his wonderfully satisfying experiences as a street performer, finally making the breakthrough to become a professional musician, in every sense of the word.
His Steelpans (steel drums) have taken him to several countries on both sides of the Atlantic, and he's had the privilege of playing for countless heads of states celebrities alike.
A published composer and songwriter, his compositions have appeared on discs by Randi Paldi, Boogsie Sharpe, Araz Lawrence, even on the soundtrack of a Disney movie called "Rock & Roll Mom", as well as his own albums.
He's also performed and or recorded with the likes of - Eric Gale, Bob Dylan, Sun-Ra, Wall of Voodoo, Film composer James Horner, Janice Ian, Randy Tico, Delmar Brown, The Neville Brothers, Tootie Heath & Macau, Taj Mahal/Pheroan Aklaaf, Charles (Express Yuhself) Wright, June Millington, among others.
Some of his other multimedia and soundtrack credits include, The Fall Guy, Scene of the Crime, Captain Kangaroo, Downtown Dixeland Tigers in New Orleans, as well as providing original music for Master Communications’ “The Year in Board Sailing” series, for annual wind surfing tournaments, in Barbados andy Hawaii. He also provided original music for the soundtrack of a ten minute commercial for the Suzuki Samarai SUV, made especially for car dealers and rental agencies.
Also, under his belt are a few major music festivals around the world, including - New Orleans Jazz Festival, Peninsula Music Festival, The Beverly Hills Arts Festival, San Pedro International Jazz Festival, Riviera Maya Latin Jazz Festival, L.A. Street Scene, to name a few.
During the late 80's Bryan Parris and his band, "Caribbean Connection", could regularly be seen and heard at the Tropicana Hotel Casino, Las Vegas, as part of their Caribbean Paradise promotion. "It’s not Jamaica man; it’s not Mazatlan, it’s not the Bahamas;….. it’s de Island of Las Vegas".?
OTHER MUSICAL ANECDOTES : -
Doing a jam session at the New Orleans jazz festival with jazz greats Sam Rivers, Winton Marsalis (then only 18 years old), and Dave Holland, which was taped by National Public Radio.
Performing at the 1984 Olympics, in Los Angeles, then later that year, the Special Olympics as well.
Opened for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, at the Peninsula Music Festival,…..as a Steeldrum soloist.
Then there was "The October Surprise", an investigative report about the “Iran/Contra” incident, (which featured Oliver North & a cast of shady characters), for which he did the soundtrack, that was broadcasted nationally, on NPR, (National Public Radio).
Jamming with Alice Coltrane And Friends, at her residence in Topanga Canyon, California, one Easter Sunday, back in the early eighties. Priceless!
Playing with Sun-Ra, (with Cecil Taylor as the opening act), at a mid-night concert, at Symphony Space, New York, which lasted until the next morning.
Opened for Sting, with an all-star, band which included Herbie Hancock, Branford Marsalis, Paul Simon, Don Henly, Bruce Hornsby, Paulino Da Costa and Bruce Springsteen, at one of his benefit concerts for the rain forrest.
HAS BEEN PREVILAGED TO SHARE THE STAGE OR SESSIONS WITH SO MANY GREAT MUSICIANS INCLUDING -
Airto Moriera
Flora Purim
Ricardo Silviera
Junior Homrich
Jorge Struntz
Miguel Cruz
Gary Meek
Johnny Guitar Watson
Fred Wesley
Frank Blair
Dan Furgerson
Robert Greenidge
Tom Petty
T-Bone Bennett
Al Kooper
Ron Wood
Dave Stewart
Benmont Tench
Huch Hutchinson
Anton Fig
Tony Bronagle
Richard Bailey
Dan Fergerson,
Abe Laboriel
Ian Wallace
Emil Richards
Joe Pocaro
Paulino Dacosta
Ernie Watts
Alex Acuna
Tommy Tedesco
Andy Narrel
Jeff Narrell
Tom Miller
John Gilmore
Jothan Callins
Marshall Thomson
Tim Landers
Kenwood Dennard
Francisco Mela
Gabriel Hernandez
Chucho Valdez Jr.
Lynn Fiddmont
Mark Ledford
Kevin Ricard
Damon DueWhite
Ron Powell
Joey Heredia
Bobby Brown
Jorge Zabaleta
Munyungo Jackson
Jim Blair
Phil Chen
And many others, too numerous to mention.
Discography
Randy Tico – Earth Dance
Bob Dylan – Knocked Out Loaded
Belmar Brown – On Comming Horizions
Azar Lawrence – Inside Stuff
Len "Boogsie" Sharpe – Happy People
Pheroan Aklaff -
June Millington -
Janice Ian
Bryan Parris/Courtney Audain – Tropical Xmas
Charles Wright
Bryan Parris – Pan in Da’ house
The Watermellon Boys – Eat Little & Live Long
MOVIES/TV
The Fall Guy
Scene Of The Crime
Accidental Spy
Downtown Dixieland Tigers
Rock & Roll Mom
Captain Kangaroo
MUSIC VIDEOS
Tropical Vibes
Mamitas Beach
The Dark Side of China
Elenor Rigby
Panyard Rhumba
South Beach