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BRYAN
PARRIS - Bryan Parris, (steel drum player/composer/songwriter), has been involved in music for as far back as he can remember. He started playing bass, piano and guitar while still in high school, in his native Trinidad, performing in various groups, before taking up the steel drum, during his last year of high school. Beginning with Tokyo Steel Orchestra, he then moved on to Starlift Steel Orchestra, under legendary arranger Ray Holmon, and was among the, now famous, 18 members who left to form "Phase 2 Pan Groove", propelled by the innovative arrangements of virtuoso steeldrum player, Boogsie Sharpe, a band which continues to be one of the premier steelbands in the world. During the 1980's he briefly studied music at New England Conservatory, but spent most of his time hanging around, nearby Berkley College of music, regularly using their facilities, doing recitals, with several students etc., though never officially studying there. Bryan toured Europe during the early '90 visiting Italy, Germany, England, Spain, Greece and Switzerland several times, bringing the sound of the steel drums to many people who had never seen nor heard this fascinating instrument before. On the professional scene, he has worked with many well know artists, (both live and in the studio), such as - Eric Gale, Bob Dylan, Sun-Ra, Wall of Voodoo, Film composer James Horner, Janice Ian, Randy Tico, Delmar Brown, The Neville Brothers, Tootie Heath, Taj Mahal / Pheroan Aklaaf, Charles Wright, June Millington, among others. His composition, "Caribbean Connection", is part of the soundtrack of the Disney movie, "Rock & Roil Mom", plus he is also credited as a composer on albums by Azar Lawrence, Randi Paldi and Boogsie Sharpe, among others. He's also played at the new Orleans Jazz festival, the Peninsula Music festival, The Beverly Hills Arts festival, to name a few. After living in many of the worlds finest cites, such as, New York, Los Angeles, London, Milan, New Orleans, Boston, San Francisco, Miami, Austin, Cancun etc., Bryan now lives quietly, with his family, in Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Mexico, far away from the big city hustle and bustle, where he continues, to play his steel drums.
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