District of Columbia Public Schools
Saxophonist Antonio Parker, a native son of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is known for his dynamic, energetic and virtuosic performances as well as his versatility in a variety of musical genres. His artistry is deeply rooted in the jazz tradition but incorporates a wide spectrum of musical influences. He is a visionary artist who has been performing nationally and internationally for over 20 years.
Antonio is a graduate of Howard University where he received undergraduate and graduate degrees in jazz studies. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of the District of Columbia.
His many artistic achievements include serving as a USIA (United States Information Agency) Jazz Ambassador to Africa, where he performed and conducted jazz workshops in Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Zaire, Congo, Morocco, and Tunisia. He has also toured and performed in Japan, London, Scotland, Paris, Spain, Canada, Austria, as well at the pyramids in Egypt with Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. Antonio has recorded and/or shared the stage with many well-known artists and entertainers, including Go-Go legend Chuck Brown, The Blackbyrds, The O’Jays, Peabo Bryson, Ruben Studdard, Betty Carter, Illinois Jaquet, Jean Carne, and Christian McBride. His 2002 debut CD, “The Exchange,” was very well received. His latest recording, the 2-disc “Steppin’ Out” Live @ HR-57 (released in 2012 on his Airegin Label), documents his constant growth as a performer, composer, and bandleader. He latest recording, Planetentiary, released in 2016, continues to demonstrate Antonio’s multifaceted musical tastes. The CD fuses jazz, funk, fusion and groove and showcases his growing compositional and production abilities.
Antonio has taught music in the Washington, DC public schools and the Prince George’s County Public School system. He is the founder and executive director of the Inner City Jazz Foundation and continues to inspire and educate young people on the importance of jazz music. He has recently released a 17 volume book series entitled, The Language of Jazz: A Repository of Melodic Ideas and Linear Constructions through his company Jazzology Publications, LLC. This is his very first foray into the area of book publishing and authorship.