Jeff Parker is primarily a jazz guitarist whose musical base is a combination of light fusion and post-bop, but he is a far more diverse a player to be pigeonholed comfortably. He spent the '90s playing with Tortoise and Isotope 217, two bands strongly associated with post-rock scene, the latter with an emphasis on fusion funk. He has worked across a variety of genres and styles, including free jazz, avant-garde jazz, electronics, and has also casually experimented with hip-hop beats. What remains a constant in his career is his light touch on the guitar, his loose and relaxed playing, and expressiveness. His music is often improvisational, subtle, and expansive. He is widely acknowledged as a master of his instrument who stands out with his idea-centric approach, staying clear from any signs of flashiness. He regularly appears as a sideman on other artists' recordings.
Bill Frisell, Joe Pass, Ray Mazurek, Chicago Underground Collective, Makaya McCraven
He was a member of Turtoise, Isotope 217, and Chicago Underground Quartet in the '90s.
He has been playing with a number of great musicians over the years, including Steve Gunn, Lee Ranaldo, Makaya McCraven.
His band The New Breed includes Josh Johnson (sax, keyboard), Paul Bryan (bass), and McCraven (drums).