By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
Gene Parker has played in lots of places. For more than 50 years he’s been a fixture on the Northwest Ohio music scene.
Andrew Bishop, an Ann Arbor-based teacher and musician, recalled first hearing him at now defunct Rusty’s Jazz Café about 30 years ago on the recommendation of another musician. Stopping by for the first set, he ended up hanging out until last call in the wee small hours of the morning.
I first heard him around that time. It was likely the first concert I attended at BGSU after we moved here in summer of 1993. The ensemble was a mix of faculty members from BGSU and the University of Toledo, and Parker was on the stand in Bryan Recital Hall. I’ve heard him many times in the interim. Listeners don’t need to seek him out. He was just there on the Art Tatum Jazz Heritage Festival, holding down the baritone sax chair in the Murphy’s Place Orchestra, with a trio entertaining at Lunch in the Park in Bowling Green or any venue dedicated to perpetuating Toledo’s jazz legacy.
In his 80th year Parker continues to make his presence felt as he let the audience know, promoting his regular appearances at Lucille’s for a Tuesday jam, the Tip Jar below the Oliver House on Wednesdays, and the Peacock on Thursdays.
On Saturday night he was on the stage of the Peristyle being feted as befitting a local jazz legend with his pals from the Toledo Jazz Orchestra and a couple family member joining him on stage.
His 80th birthday was last September, but the celebration with the jazz orchestra had to be delayed because of health problems. Now, Alain Trudel, who directs the TJO as well as the Toledo Symphony, had to bow out because of health problems. So, Bishop stepped out of the saxophone section to conduct.
Parker told the crowd that as best he could tell he’s the third generation of musicians in his family. His son Ray, who spent 25 years as a New York City session player before relocating back to Northwest Ohio, represents the fourth generation. The youngest generation was well represented by his 14-year-old grandson, violinist Cole Krajewski, from the Cleveland area. After a comic routine in which Cole pretended not to be able to play, he joined in the festivities, first playing the melody on “My One and Only Love.” He acquitted himself well on several other numbers including duetting with his uncle, who played violin as well.
Parker is known as well as an educator, having taught for almost as long as he has played. In a nod to music education, the band’s ranks for the night included several younger players, a good sign for the future of the jazz orchestra.
Guitarist Chris Buzzelli, also did much to heightened the celebratory mood. The guitarist has shared many a band stand with Parker over the years and is no stranger to the Peristyle where he also plays with the Toledo Symphony. He arranged several of the charts.
On the second number of the night, before the honoree was introduced, Buzzelli was featured on “Pensativa.” Bishop joked about the rarity of a big band feature for guitar.
Then Parker came out roaring on tenor saxophone on “Georgia on My Mind.” A multi-instrumentalist, he spent most time at the organ, though he also played flute and piano. His vibraphone was on the stage, but he never got around to playing it.
The mood from the opening “One O’clock Jump’ to the closing jam was festive, and had a spontaneous energy more accustomed to a jazz club than a concert stage. It was a party.
The birthday party, did take a somber turn when Parker paid tribute to his late wife, Joette, who died in December 2021. He offered up three songs representing the stages of their relationship. He played “Two for the Road” on piano, while his son, played “My Romance.” They concluded with Cole performing Chick Corea’s “Crystal Silence” with the older Parkers in support. Shannon Ford, who was in the saxophone section, recited the lyrics for each.
Parker was back on tenor for the closer “Sweet Georgia Brown” with every saxophonist on the stage, including Bishop, trading solos. It was a perfect ending for the celebration of a musician who is always the life of the party.
