Background
He was born on October 7, 1983, in Seattle, Washington.
He was born on October 7, 1983, in Seattle, Washington.
Parks studied at the University of Washington at the age of 14 through the Transition School and Early Entrance Program as a double major in computer science and music
At 15 he was selected to participate in the GRAMMY High School Jazz Ensembles which inspired him to move to New York City and transfer to the Manhattan School of Music. During his final year he began touring with Terence Blanchard"s band, recording three albums with him for Blue Note Records, including the Grammy-winning A Tale of God"s Will (A Requiem for Katrina). Parks has also toured with Kurt Rosenwinkel and has recorded for Blue Note Records.
Parks can be heard on the soundtracks to Their Eyes Were Watching God and Spike Lee films including Inside Manitoba, She Hate Maine, and When the Levees Broke.
He currently resides in Brooklyn, New New York
He is a member of James Farm, a quartet featuring saxophonist Joshua Redman, bassist Matt Penman, and drummer Eric Harland.